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Cowboys unlikely to make move for free-agent Dwight Freeney

Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Dallas Cowboys' lack of a pass rush could be a potentially fatal flaw in an otherwise playoff-ready roster.

With defensive ends Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory both suspended for the first four games of the season, the Cowboys are in dire help.

Free-agent defensive end Dwight Freeney is one of the few remaining veterans on the market capable of providing a boost to the unit. However, with the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons hosting the veteran edge-rusher recently, the Cowboys are currently not interested in joining the fight for Freeney's services or adding any other free-agent defensive end.

"I think it's a little early for us,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said Thursday, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "We kind of like our young guys right now.

"Obviously Dwight has had an amazing career. Nothing to say but great things about Dwight with what he's accomplished in this league, but we all know this is a younger man's game. But I do think what he showed last year he was able to help a playoff team. So, all those things will be things that we keep our eyes on. But I don't think we're ready to make any move on any veteran that is available at this point."

Freeney was a midseason addition by the Arizona Cardinals in 2015.

Last season the 36-year-old proved he still had plenty left in the tank, registering eight sacks in 11 games - a mark which would have made him the joint sack leader on the Cowboys last campaign.

It appears Dallas is comfortable riding out the suspensions of Gregory and Lawrence with their current group, which includes rookie Charles Tapper, Benson Mayowa, David Irving, and Jack Crawford.

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