Cowboys Liufau Forearm Injury
Cowboys Linebacker Marist Liufau Suffers Left Forearm Fracture in Preseason Finale
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Key Points
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Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones said Liufau’s fracture is “in the right spot” and that if the surgery goes well, he could be back “quickly.”
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Dallas could use one of the two injured reserve/designated to return slots on Liufau at the final cutdown, allowing him to miss the first four games while remaining on the roster.
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Liufau is described as a “four core” guy — a critical contributor on multiple units, including special teams — underscoring the impact his absence has on the Cowboys’ depth and tempo.
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The injury is a left forearm fracture suffered in the first quarter of the preseason finale against the Saints; he left the game in a sling and soft cast, and surgery was planned as early as Monday.
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2026 will be Liufau’s first season as an edge rusher; his absence could force other players (e.g., Isaiah Land or Tyrus Wheat) to pick up increased snaps while the Cowboys address edge-rush depth.
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Marist Liufau suffered a left forearm fracture in the preseason finale against the Saints, with surgery planned as early as Monday ESPN. Owner Jerry Jones said the fracture is "in the right spot" and that if surgery goes well, Liufau could return "quickly" Dallas News. The injury threatens to sideline a key defensive and special-teams contributor for at least the first four games of the regular season.
How Liufau Left the Game and What's Next
Liufau left the preseason game in the first quarter wearing a sling and soft cast Yahoo Sports. He is scheduled to have surgery Monday to repair the fractured left forearm ESPN. Recovery is measured in weeks, not months, meaning he could potentially return mid-season rather than miss the entire year.
Cowboys' IR Strategy Could Preserve His Roster Spot
Dallas can place Liufau on injured reserve with a "designated for return" tag at the final cutdown Dallas News. This move keeps him off the active roster while preserving a spot for his eventual comeback. He would miss at least the first four games but remain tied to the team, avoiding a full season-ending injury designation.
Depth Crisis at Edge Rusher and Special Teams
Liufau was a "four-core" player — contributing on defense, special teams, and in a new edge-rusher role Express News. His 2026 season marked his transition from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher. His absence forces Isaiah Land or Tyrus Wheat to absorb his defensive snaps while the Cowboys scramble to bolster special-teams depth during the regular season.
What This Means for the Cowboys' Season Start
Liufau's injury exposes the Cowboys' thin roster at edge rush and forces early reliance on backup contributors ESPN UK. The team must now evaluate whether other players can fill the versatile role Liufau filled across multiple units. Depending on surgery success and recovery speed, Dallas could face a critical four-game window without one of its most dependable defensive-special teams assets.
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