The Dallas Cowboys were forced to put rookie defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence on the short term IR on Tuesday as they signed defensive end Jack Crawford, who was released during Oakland’s roster cuts, in Lawrence’s place. 

According to NFL rules, each club may use the IR/designated to return tag on one player per season.  Lawrence may begin practicing with the team after Week 6, and he is eligible to return to the active roster after Week 8.  The second-round pick, taken # 34 overall in May, broke his foot during a training camp practice on July 29th.

Rick Yeatts, Getty Images
Rick Yeatts, Getty Images
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Crawford comes to the Cowboys after the Raiders selected him in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. He appeared in 19 games in his first two years and made 18 tackles.  He was a third-stringer on the Raiders’ defensive depth chart before his release during the weekend.  This move is the latest in a series of efforts to get the defensive line ready for the season opener against San Francisco.  When the Cowboys made their final roster cuts, two defensive ends Lawrence and Anthony Spencer were on the roster despite not being ready for Week 1.

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