Cowboys spotlight: Durable DE Jordan gives Saints’ defense rushing threat

Height: 6-4 Weight: 287

Season: 5th College: California

Strengths: Jordan, the son of former Vikings tight end Steve Jordan, has good bloodlines. He became a two-sport star at Chandler (Ariz.) High School, recording 85 tackles and 17.5 sacks his senior season while also winning the state title in the discus. Jordan finished with 175 tackles, 34 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks at Cal in 32 starts and 50 games, turning into a first-round pick. He has been durable in his NFL career, having never missed a game. He has started 52 consecutive games, the fourth-longest streak among NFL defensive ends, and played in 67 straight. Jordan was elected a defensive team captain this season.

Weaknesses: Jordan has never become the dominant pass rusher the Saints expected with the 24th overall pick, making 30 sacks in five seasons. But he did earn his first Pro Bowl in 2013, his only double-digit sack season, and the Saints liked him enough to give him a five-year extension in June worth up to $60 million, with $33.6 million guaranteed.

Last week: He had two tackles in the Saints’ 27-22 loss to Carolina on Sunday.

Who has to stop him? Left tackle Tyron Smith has allowed one sack this season, according to STATS, Inc., while being penalized three times. The Cowboys have allowed five sacks for 30 yards this season.

Notable: Jordan has posted 29 sacks since 2012, tied for 13th in the NFL over that span. … He has never had a sack against the Cowboys. … His $12 million per season average makes him one of the highest-paid defensive ends in the game.

Charean Williams

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 7:01 PM with the headline "Cowboys spotlight: Durable DE Jordan gives Saints’ defense rushing threat."