FRISCO, Texas – What a difference a year makes. In this case, how about the difference half a year makes?

Last season, the Cowboys had Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler and Sam Williams on board to attack the passer.

Fowler and Armstrong signed with Dan Quinn and the Commanders back in March. Williams suffered a torn ACL at the start of training camp and is out for the season.

And now a 20-15 victory over the Giants proved costly as both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence suffered injuries that would force them to miss time, and both might potentially miss next week’s game in Pittsburgh .

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Friday on 105.3 The Fan that the team will explore all options to increase the pass rush advantage.

“Well, we’re always looking for help – that goes without saying,” Jones said. “We need to reinforce some people internally.”

The Cowboys’ internal options include veteran pass rusher Carl Lawson, who is on the practice squad but only has one raise remaining from the NFL’s three allowed assignments. The team could easily add him to the roster, especially if Lawrence and/or Parsons end up on IR.

Lawson was active in Thursday’s win over the Giants. Despite incurring a costly offside penalty, he pounced on the passer at the end of the game and put pressure on Daniel Jones in the final moments of the victory.

Lawson has 27 career sacks, including 8.5 as a rookie in 2017 with the Bengals while playing under then-DC Paul Guenther, the Cowboys’ current defensive run game coordinator.

Other options on the roster include Chauncey Golston, who has played both end and tackle since being drafted in 2021. The team also has Marshawn Kneeland, a second-round pick in 2024, and Tyrus Wheat, who was inactive in the previous game with the Giants.

Lawson was one of four veteran defensive ends the Cowboys used in August when Williams was first sidelined with the injury. The team also looked at Shaka Toney, who signed and was later waived/injured, and Al-Quadin Muhammad, who played well in preseason but was released before the start of the season. Muhammad would still have to serve a one-game suspension by the NFL before he is cleared to play.

Another player who visited the Cowboys for practice was Justin Hollins, who is also a free agent.