Dallas Cowboys LB Sean Lee Reportedly Requires Season-Ending Toe Surgery

October 24, 2012   ·   Ian Hanford   ·   Jump to comments

Sean Lee is Dallas’ leading tackler by a large margin, but the Cowboys may not have their steady middle linebacker for awhile following an injury in the third quarter on Sunday versus Carolina.

UPDATE: Wednesday, October 24 at 12:13 a.m. ET by Ian Hanford

According to Dallas Morning News reporter David Moore, Lee’s injury appears to be Dallas’ worst-case scenario:

LB Sean Lee has played his last game for the Cowboys this season. The club has determined he will require surgery on his injured right toe.

— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) October 24, 2012

Wait for the team to confirm it before you hit crisis mode Cowboys fans, but it’s not looking good for the leader of one of the NFL‘s best defenses.

—End of Update—

ESPN Dallas reporter Todd Archer tweets:

Just filed @espndallas – Cowboys fear Sean Lee needs season ending surgery on right big toe

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 23, 2012

If he does require season-ending surgery, it’s a major blow to the Cowboys’ stellar defense. After Lee’s 58 tackles, Bruce Carter holds the team’s second-highest total with 32.

Losing Lee would damage the consistency of Dallas’ front seven, allowing teams to have more room to run up front.

He also has one interception and a forced fumble this season. Without a single sack, he lacks game-breaking explosiveness, but that doesn’t negate his instinctual read-and-react ability and cover skills.

Because Dallas runs a 3-4 as its base defense, Lee’s loss definitely does not have to be paralyzing for entire defensive unit, especially if Carter steps up in his absence. Dan Connor, Lee’s replacement who had 75 tackles for the Panthers last season, had two tackles once Lee left the game on Sunday.

Connor should be fine if Lee is out on a long-term basis, but someone like Orie Lemon may not be. Nonetheless, he will definitely see an uptick in his playing time if Lee is put on the shelf.

The 26-year-old Lee, Dallas’ second-round pick out of Penn State in 2010, is incredibly important to Dallas’ new identity on defense. He’s tough and he makes the right play most of the time. The Cowboys are not especially strong up the middle, with Lee as the main stalwart against the run.

The Cowboys are hoping that things aren’t as bad as they initially look, but we will have to wait and see.

Stay tuned for updates regarding Lee’s status.

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