Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams tore ligaments in his left knee during special teams drills on Sunday and will need surgery that will end his season.
Williams got injured during a blocking drill while the Cowboys were not yet wearing pads. Trainers attended to him for several minutes, and he did not put weight on his leg as he was helped onto a motorized cart and taken off the field.
Williams, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 261 pounds, was expected to take on a larger role as an edge rusher this season, especially after defensive end Dorance Armstrong and outside linebacker Dante Fowler left the team in free agency.
A second-round draft pick from Mississippi in 2022, Williams played in all 17 regular-season games last year and has appeared in 32 games over the past two seasons. He has recorded 8 1/2 career sacks.
