Cowboys Swap Linebackers on IR as Rookie Malachi Lawrence Goes Down

The Dallas Cowboys' defense is currently operating like a revolving door at a busy hotel, and the latest spin just sent their first-round rookie to the injured reserve.

According to Mike Garafolo, Dallas officially placed rookie linebacker Malachi Lawrence on IR while activating fellow linebacker Marist Liufau to take his spot. To patch the rest of the roster holes, the team also elevated wide receiver Jordan Hudson and tight end James Mitchell from the practice squad.

"Mike Garafolo reported the official roster moves, noting Jonathan Bullard remains out."

Lawrence tweaked his ankle during last week's 33-30 overtime collapse against the Arizona Cardinals. Losing your 23rd overall pick right when the defense is already gasping for air is the exact kind of brutal luck that defines a spiraling season.

Swapping linebackers on the injured list is like changing the tires on a car that is currently on fire. Sure, the fresh tread is nice, but you still have a massive underlying problem to deal with when the engine block is melting.

Liufau coming back helps, but defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard is still stuck on IR and officially ruled out for tomorrow's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. If you are looking at the betting lines for this game, you have to factor in a Dallas defense that is constantly shuffling bodies just to field a legal formation.

The Cowboys desperately need Liufau to hit the ground running against Indianapolis. If this makeshift defensive front cannot hold up, Dallas is going to spend another postgame press conference explaining how things got away from them.