Marist Liufau Injury: Forearm Surgery

Marist Liufau is scheduled for surgery as early as Monday after fracturing his left forearm in Friday's preseason finale, the Dallas Cowboys confirmed overnight. ESPN reported the outside linebacker was hurt in the first quarter of a 27-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints while making a tackle, then was spotted in a sling and soft cast after the game. DallasCowboys.com posted the club's update at 11:21 p.m. Friday. NBC Sports carried the same timeline Saturday morning.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Liufau would miss "weeks," per ESPN and the team site. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones sounded more optimistic after talking to doctors. ESPN quoted Jones saying Liufau could be back "quickly," because the fracture "is one that's in the right spot, and if you're going to have one, it's the one to have." That is a medical note, not a return date. The 53-man roster is due Sunday.

How long is Marist Liufau out?

Schottenheimer would not pin a week count. "So you're talking about some weeks, but I don't want to put a timeframe on it right now," he told the Dallas Morning News. ESPN laid out the roster fork. Dallas can use one of two injured reserve/designated to return slots on Liufau at final cutdown. That would keep him off the 53 and force him to miss the first four regular-season games. NBC Sports said it is still unclear whether the Cowboys will keep him on the 53, cut him, or start him on IR.

Liufau was a third-round pick in 2024 out of Notre Dame. DallasCowboys.com said he has played all 34 games across his first two seasons. Last year his special teams share jumped from 35 percent as a rookie to 75 percent (361 snaps), while his defensive snaps dropped from 521 in 2024 to 202 in 2025. The club moved him from off-ball linebacker to edge this offseason in Christian Parker's 3-4. NBC Sports had him on the field for 18 percent of defensive plays and 75 percent of special teams last season.

What the Liufau injury means for Dallas

Schottenheimer called him a "four-core" special teamer. "Losing Marist as a football player is tough," he said, in comments carried by ESPN, the team site, and NBC Sports. "He was a critical, critical part of not just two or three special teams, really all four. He's a 'four-core' guy that you just rely on and he plays the game with violence." The Dallas Morning News wrote that Liufau started Friday at outside linebacker and was battling for a roster spot, with special teams the piece that looked secure.

Cutdown weekend already had enough noise, from a Cedric Tillman waiver in Cleveland to a Will Howard head evaluation in Pittsburgh. Dallas has to decide by Sunday whether Liufau counts as a 53-man player or an IR hold. Fans searching Marist Liufau injury want a date. Friday gave them a fracture, Monday surgery, and a four-game IR option. That is the whole board until the operation is done.

Marist Liufau injury FAQ

What is Marist Liufau's injury? A fractured left forearm suffered while making a tackle in the first quarter against the Saints. ESPN said he left in a sling and soft cast.

When is Marist Liufau's surgery? As early as Monday, per ESPN, DallasCowboys.com, and Schottenheimer.

Will Marist Liufau start the season on IR? Dallas has not said. ESPN noted the Cowboys could use a designated-to-return IR slot and have him miss the first four games.