DeMarcus Lawrence Looks to Pick Up Where He Left Off

Provided that he can stay healthy, Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence seems primed to have something of a breakout year.

The Cowboys’ second round pick out of Boise State, Lawrence was slowed last year by fractured foot. He suffered the injury on the fourth day of training camp and missed the rest of camp, the preseason and the first nine games of the season--as well as all the knowledge that would come with those experiences.

“It was hard,” Lawrence told the team’s official website. “It was a real tough grind to deal with, just trying to stay focused and into the playbook and just coming back trying to get back into your rhythm and your groove. But I just had to deal with the punches as they came--focusing on my technique and my skill development was my main focus. It just got better over time in the games.”

Lawrence finished the regular season with just nine tackles, one for a loss and no sacks. But in the playoffs, he came alive. In the Wild Card Round victory over the Lions he had a strip-sack of Matthew Stafford--and recovered the fumble himself--to end the game. He added another sack the next week in the season-ending loss to the Packers in the Divisional Round.

“When the playoffs rolled around I just felt a switch flick on,” Lawrence said. “It was just me and my mindset--trusting my body, trusting my foot again and just letting go and having fun.”

Lawrence will look to pick up where he left off in 2015.