Cowboys provide worrying update on NT Johnathan Hankins

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy delivered a lump of coal directly to fans' stockings on Wednesday. 

After a nightmare game versus the Buffalo Bills stopping the run with starting nose tackle Johnathan Hankins out, McCarthy warned Cowboys fans the team is likely to be without him again for the team's game against the high-powered Miami Dolphins in Week 16.

"(Hankins) is doing better," the Cowboys heads coach told reporters on Wednesday. "He'd be hard-pressed to go this week but yeah, he's doing better." 

McCarthy's choice of words shouldn't be overlooked here. Saying Hankins is "hard-pressed" to go on Sunday is the same vocabulary he used last week, when Hankins ended up being ruled out for the game in Buffalo. In other words, it sure sounds like the defense will once again be without its starting nose tackle.

And make no mistake about it, it's a very meaningful injury. 

For all the hype Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa have generated this season (rightfully so), the Dolphins' menacing offense is terrifyingly dynamic on the ground. Most of their success starts with what they do with their speedy running backs and Mike McDaniel's creative run designs, which consistently have new wrinkles. 

The Cowboys will need to be in their A-game after missing 12 tackles last week. Such a high number is definitely a rarity but it certainly relates to Hankins' absence. Without defensive tackles occupying blockers, the linebackers' job is much harder as they have offensive linemen climbing to the second level every time. PFF editor and film expert John Owning nailed his description of this effect on a recent post on Twitter/X which you can check out below: