The Dallas Cowboys have signed defensive end Carl Lawson to their 53-man active roster, the team announced on Wednesday.
Lawson, a former Auburn standout, has appeared in the Cowboys’ last three games after being elevated from the practice squad.
Under NFL rules, a player can only be elevated from the practice squad three times before requiring a permanent roster spot.
To keep Lawson on the field, Dallas needed to officially add him to the active roster.
The Cowboys had an opening after defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was placed on injured reserve following a knee injury he sustained during Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kneeland is the latest in a string of injuries for Dallas defensive ends.
Sam Williams, a former Lee-Montgomery standout, tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee during practice on July 28.
DeMarcus Lawrence has also gone on injured reserve, and three-time Pro Bowler Micah Parsons is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.
Lawson has logged 60 defensive snaps for the Cowboys this season.
A fourth-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017, he has accumulated 27.5 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, and 109 quarterback hits over 77 NFL games.
In his rookie season, Lawson led all NFL rookies with 8.5 sacks in 2017.
He recorded seven sacks while starting every game for the New York Jets in 2022.
