FRISCO, Texas – When the Dallas Cowboys play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 6, they could be without their two best defensive linemen.

An MRI on Friday confirmed that edge rusher Micah Parsons suffered a high left ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys’ 20-15 win over the New York Giants on Thursday, while defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a right midfoot sprain will keep him out for several weeks, according to sources.

It’s a big blow for a defense that struggled in losses to the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens but gave up just 26 yards on 24 carries against the Giants.

Parsons and Lawrence are the Cowboys’ top two pass rushers. Lawrence leads the Cowboys with three sacks this season and Parsons has recorded at least 13 sacks in each of his first three seasons.

Parsons was injured rushing the passer from the middle of the Giants line. He was dealing with center John Michael Schmitz Jr. when guard Greg Van Roten fell on the back of Parsons’ leg. Parsons was attended to by medical staff before limping to the sidelines. Eventually he was taken away by cart to have X-rays taken.

After the game, he rode a golf cart to the team bus.

Parsons has only missed one game in his career (2021, COVID). Lawrence had played in 38 straight games.

Lawrence suffered his injury in the third quarter while chasing Daniel Jones and quickly stopped after the quarterback changed direction. He limped off the field and went to the locker room. While he returned to the sidelines, he did not return to the game. After the game, he said the injury was not related to the foot fractures he suffered earlier in his career.

Without Parsons and Lawrence, the Cowboys finished Thursday’s game with rookie Marshawn Kneeland and Chauncey Golston at defensive end. In the last two weeks, they signed veteran Carl Lawson from the practice squad. Tyrus Wheat is on the 53-man roster but has been inactive for the last two games.

Losing two key defenders is hardly the best start to a difficult stretch of the season. After the Steelers, the Cowboys play key NFC games against the Detroit Lions (October 13) and the San Francisco 49ers (October 27), with the bye week in between.