It just keeps getting worse for the Dallas Cowboys.

On Tuesday afternoon, Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee tore his left ACL during OTAs, Organized Team Activities. Lee collided with offensive tackle Zack Martin, who was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Lee's injury came as a huge disappointment; OTAs are supposed to be non-contact drills. Either the young rookie Martin didn't get the message or the Cowboys coaching staff fell asleep at the wheel. The NFLPA may get involved here.

Last season, the Cowboys defense ranked: 32nd overall, 30th against the pass, and 27th against the rush.

In other words, they were absolutely horrendous last season on defense. Last year's defensive squad allowed the third-most total yards in NFL history. Those historically bad numbers were with DeMarcus Ware and Sean Lee last season -- imagine the defense without them. With Lee likely done for the season, the Cowboys are going to need another linebacker to step up to fill the void.

One option is Jonathan Vilma, who missed all of last season. Vilma is a former Super Bowl Champion with the New Orleans Saints who brings a lot of experience and is a good tackler. He won't cost a lot off the Cowboys salary cap either. The negative with Vilma is he has injuries as well, but the Cowboys could still cut him if he's not performing well. Vilma is currently a free agent.

The Cowboys could go with their fourth round draft choice, Anthony Hitchens. Hitchens played college ball at Iowa and the Cowboys may throw him into the starting lineup in a preseason game to really see what he's made of. Hitchens is almost the same identical size as Lee, so he may fit the system to the same degree to what the defensive coaches want. Backup linebacker DeVonte Holloman is only a second-year player, but the team may give him a chance as well.

It's unlikely the Cowboys can make a huge splash in the trade market for a big name linebacker at this point, because the draft has already passed. The Cowboys really don't have much trade value to offer for a great linebacker either. The Cowboys may even get desperate enough to sign free agent Rocky McIntosh, who last played for the Detroit Lions.

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