Inside The Star
The Dallas Cowboys have been forced to dig deep into their depth chart at linebacker, but what was once seen as a setback has turned into one of the more encouraging developments of the season.
With injuries piling up, the Cowboys have leaned on their young defenders to fill major roles, and the early returns have been promising.
Players like Marist Liufau and Shemar James have brought speed, energy, and physicality to a unit that had been looking for an identity.
If Dallas is smart, theyll continue letting the young linebackers play and grow, even if that comes with some mistakes along the way.
Marist Liufau has been a revelation since being thrust into a bigger role. Whether on special teams or defense, Liufaus motor never stops.
His sideline-to-sideline speed has been crucial, especially against mobile quarterbacks and running backs who threaten the edges.
Against the Jets, his presence was felt immediately; flying into gaps, wrapping up runners, and even getting his hands on a football or two.
Liufaus knack for punching the ball out and forcing fumbles has added a new layer of aggression to the Cowboys defense.
While hes bound to have some growing pains as he adjusts to NFL speed and scheme complexity, his enthusiasm and physical style are contagious.
This is evidenced by the shift in momentum versus the Green Bay Packers after he laid that huge hit on punt returner Matthew Golden.
The Cowboys defense looks more energized with him on the field, and thats something you cant teach.
Even if hes not perfect yet, the spark Liufau brings is worth every rep he gets.
When starting LB Jack Sanborn exited early in the first half against the Jets with a concussion, rookie Shemar James was suddenly asked to step up, and he didnt just fill in; he excelled.
James finished the game with a team-leading 15 tackles, flying around the field and showcasing elite pursuit speed.
He consistently shut down running lanes and limited quarterback Justin Fields ability to escape the pocket, a task thats given Dallas fits in the past.
James is still raw, but his instincts and athleticism jump off the screen.
He reads plays quickly for a rookie, and even when he guesses wrong, his recovery speed allows him to stay in the mix.
On a defense thats been inconsistent and struggling to find rhythm, James represents hope for the future.
The only way for him to grow is through experience, and the Cowboys would be wise to let him keep learning on the job.
While Liufau and James have been bright spots, the linebacker room could still use another stabilizing presence.
Kenneth Murray, once expected to be a steadying force, has looked a step slow in recent weeks, especially against faster offenses and dual-threat quarterbacks.
His hesitation and lack of sideline quickness have created vulnerabilities that opposing teams have started to exploit.
Thats why adding another veteran could make...
