Loss Of Justin Durant Huge For Dallas Cowboys

By Kyle Nault @KyleOnTheDaily on October 29, 2014

An MRI on Tuesday morning confirmed a torn bicep in the right arm of Dallas Cowboys starting linebacker Justin Durant, and his loss couldn’t be more huge for a team that might be reeling after a stunning Monday night loss to the Washington Redskins.

After the game, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Durant would miss the remainder of the season, which will leave things to be very interesting for their long-term defensive prospects and the team’s overall status as a Super Bowl contender. Yes, the loss of Durant is that huge for Dallas.

No. 52 leads the team in tackles with 61, and has long been boasted as the best player on the defense by defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. In fact, Durant represents what it means to be a Cowboy this season. Already on his third team in his eighth year in the league, Durant made leaps and bounds with his headstrong attitude under Marinelli’s tutelage.

Not only has he led the team in total tackles, he’s also tied for the team lead in tackles for a loss with Rolando McClain, and I just don’t see how they can overcome this loss with Kyle Wilber or Anthony Hitchens.

Think of linebackers as the quarterbacks of the defense, especially one of Durant’s caliber. He was voted as a team captain at the beginning of the season for a reason. Without a true signal caller or leader on defense, Dallas has now shown they will even struggle against the likes of the weakest opponents such as the Redskins’ third-string quarterback Colt McCoy.

If you think about it, that’s a scary thought for a team that is considered a playoff contender.

Kyle Nault is a NFL Writer For www.RantSports.com. Follow Him on Twitter @KyleOnTheDaily.