Report: Cowboys to play rookie linebacker Parsons as defensive end

The Dallas Cowboys are moving rookie linebacker Micah Parsons to defensive end, starting with Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Dallas has already lost several starting pass-rushers this season, leading to the move. DeMarcus Lawrence is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks after breaking his foot in practice Wednesday, while Randy Gregory was placed on the COVID-19 list.

The Cowboys have strong depth at linebacker to compensate for Parsons' shift. Keanu Neal will likely continue to start alongside Leighton Vander Esch, while Jaylon Smith's role should increase.

Parsons played defensive end in high school and was still used extensively as a pass-rusher at Penn State after moving to inside linebacker. Dallas continued to grow that part of his game during training camp, with Lawrence guiding the former first-rounder.

"Last week, we were watching film of pass rush and D-Law came up to me," Parsons said in the spring, "And (he) was like, 'You pass rush like that, Rook?' I was like, 'Yeah, I used to be a defensive end.' He was like, 'Alright, tap in with me.' Me and him have been getting closer."

Parsons had seven total tackles in the Cowboys' Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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