AP
According to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com, Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is suffering from Patella tendonitis.
Filed to @espndallas – Patella tendinitis for Dez Bryant. Rest is the word. Too early to know if he plays in preseason
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 20, 2012
As far as I know, the only way for Bryant to feel better, is to rest his knee.
AP
According to Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com, Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant will undergo an MRI on his knee after suffering an injury during Monday’s practice.
Dez Bryant is having an MRI on his knee… Injury suffered early in Monday practice
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) August 20, 2012
The Cowboys are hacing a brutal preseason with injuries already to both Jason Witten and Miles Austin. Not to mention they might have the worst offensive line in the NFL.
AP Photo
According to Yahoo! Sports, David Wells who has been a long time advisor of Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant claims that NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus offered him cash and a trip to Miami in order to be able to sign Bryant before the 2010 NFL draft.
“David Wells, a longtime advisor to Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, has accused high-profile agent Drew Rosenhaus of offering him a prohibited cash payment and trip to Miami in an effort to sign Bryant, Yahoo! Sports has learned.
“The offers, through a series of text messages prior to the 2010 NFL draft, are apparent violations of the NFL Players Association’s regulations on agents,” reported Y! Sports.
This doesn’t come as a surprise to me after the money problems Rosenhaus has encountered over the years. I know a lot people don’t believe he could have any problems because of all the clients he has, but he loans out a lot of money to his guys that doesn’t get paid back, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
AP
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones doesn’t believe wide receiver Miles Austin will be back at practice this week as he continues to nurse an injured hamstring.
“He’s not one of the ones I’m thinking will be back,” Jones said, per Josh Ellis of DallasCowboys.com. “I wouldn’t discount it, but he’s not one of the ones that I have coming back. I hope (Matt) Johnson’s back out there. I hope Johnson can get out there and get some work in. That’s important to him and us.”
AP Photo
According to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com, Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware will not play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Chargers because of a hamstring injury.
“Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware said he’s not going to play in Saturday’s preseason game against the San Diego Chargers because of a left hamstring injury,” wrote Watkins.
Looks like hamstring injuries are contagious in the Cowboys locker room with Dez Bryant and Miles Austin fighting through them.
AP Photo
According to Will Brinson of CBSSports.com, a woman is suing Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for burning her butt on a metal bench outside Cowboys Stadium.
“A woman named Jennelle Carrillo is suing the team and Jerrah because, while attending the Blue and Silver scrimmage in August of 2010, she sat down on a bench outside Cowboys Stadium and suffered third-degree burns on her buttocks,” wrote Brinson.
“Prior to entering the seated area of Cowboys stadium, plaintiff sat down on a black, marble bench outside of and near entrance ‘E’ to the stadium,” the lawsuit reads, per Brinson. “The bench was uncovered and openly exposed to the extremely hot August sun. The combination of the nature of the black, marble bench and hot sunlight caused the bench to become extremely hot and unreasonably dangerous.”
“As a result of sitting on the bench, plaintiff suffered third degree burns to her buttocks,” the lawsuit reads per Brinson.
It’s amazing what people sue for. Don’t people realize that it get’s hot in Texas and a metal bench can burn you. Usually when it’s really hot, intelligent people will check the bench before sitting down.
Getty Images
As Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten waits for his lacerated spleen to heal, he admitted that he doesn’t know when he’ll be back on the field at this point.
“Well, it was ‘How long?’” Witten said, per Todd Archer of ESPN.com. “Again, I do think it’s a different mindset thinking you have to get healed up and regroup. Like (trainers) have said, just take it a day at a time. Obviously, I’d be hard-pressed to imagine not being out there against the Giants. But there’s no timetable right now.”
There is still a chance Witten could end up needing surgery.
“An operation is a possibility depending on how Witten’s examination fares in a week to 10 days, when the Cowboys return to Dallas,” wrote Archer.
There’s also still a chance that he may not be ready for the season opener against the Giants.
“Witten’s status still is uncertain for the Cowboys’ regular-season opener on Sept. 5 against the New York Giants,” wrote Archer.
AP Photo
According to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com, Cowboys running back Felix Jones hasn’t been very impressive so far in camp.
“This isn’t a big thing, but Felix Jones hasn’t really impressed us this training camp. DeMarco Murray has shown a burst, an ability to take contact and re-establish himself as the No. 1 running back. Jones? He’s been blah. He caught a swing pass but didn’t do much with it. Jones seems a little slow this camp not because of injury, but maybe the past leg injuries he’s had in his brief career have taken their toll,” wrote Watkins.
It’s not a surprise that Jones hasn’t stood out, there’s a reason he’s no longer the Cowboys starting running back.
AP Photo
According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has a slightly lacerated spleen. At this point, head coach Jason Garrett isn’t sure when he’ll be back on the field. He’s going to leave that up to the medical professionals.
Garrett says Witten has a slightly lacerated spleen. Calls the injury “very serious”, says he has to be “still and idle” the next 8-10 days.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 15, 2012
One thing Garrett made abundantly clear on Witten — His return date will be the medical people’s call. Wants to be careful as possible.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 15, 2012
AP Photo
According to Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com, tight end Jason Witten’s status is currently in doubt for the Cowboys’ season opener against the New York Giants.
Jason Witten has an abdominal injury that could keep him out the rest of the preseason and might even jeopardize his status for Sept. 5 game
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) August 15, 2012
It seems like none of quarterback Tony Romo’s targets can stay healthy.
AP Photo
According to Paulie Pabst of the Dan Patrick Show, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten suffered a spleen injury during Monday night’s game against the Raiders and he may need to undergo surgery.
It looks like Witten will likely be out for the remainder of the preseason. This is not how the Cowboys want to begin their season.
AP Photos
According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the NFL is now planning on using replacement officials during the regular season.
“League executives said Monday they now foresee starting the 2012 regular season with replacement officials,” reported Mortensen.
With the way these officials have been calling games during the preseason, the NFL would be stupid to not strike a deal with the regular officials.
AP Photo
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware has been very impressed with second-year left tackle Tyron Smith so far in camp this year. He’s been really impressed with Smith’s strength.
“The crazy thing about Tyron is he’s the first guy that when you lock up with him, you can’t get off of him,” Ware said during an interview on the Coop & Nate show on KESN-FM, via Dallas Morning News. “He’s the first guy to ever do that to me. That shows the strength he has and how quick he is on the inside. He’s a very good, young aggressive tackle. When you try to beat him inside, you can’t. He’s just that athletic. Cowboys fans don’t have anything to worry about. He’s getting the job done and working hard.”
Ware says that Smith’s athleticism makes it very difficult to get by him.
“When you think about a tackle that’s coming from the right side to the left side, it’s a different speed change, but the athleticism of Tyron and how he can latch on to you if you try to overpower him or when you go around the corner, he uses his hands really well,” Ware explained. “Him being that left young tackle is what we need. We need him over there being aggressive. I beat him every once in a while, but he’s been doing his job.”
AP Photo
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware has been very impressed with second-year left tackle Tyron Smith so far in camp this year. He’s been really impressed with Smith’s strength.
“The crazy thing about Tyron is he’s the first guy that when you lock up with him, you can’t get off of him,” Ware said during an interview on the Coop & Nate show on KESN-FM, via Dallas Morning News. “He’s the first guy to ever do that to me. That shows the strength he has and how quick he is on the inside. He’s a very good, young aggressive tackle. When you try to beat him inside, you can’t. He’s just that athletic. Cowboys fans don’t have anything to worry about. He’s getting the job done and working hard.”
Ware says that Smith’s athleticism makes it very difficult to get by him.
“When you think about a tackle that’s coming from the right side to the left side, it’s a different speed change, but the athleticism of Tyron and how he can latch on to you if you try to overpower him or when you go around the corner, he uses his hands really well,” Ware explained. “Him being that left young tackle is what we need. We need him over there being aggressive. I beat him every once in a while, but he’s been doing his job.”
AP Photo
According to ESPNDallas.com, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant left Saturday’s practice early with a hamstring injury and may not play in Monday night’s preseason opener against the Raiders.
“The Dallas Cowboys might be without Dez Bryant when they open the preseason at Oakland on Monday night after the wide receiver was knocked out of Saturday’s practice with a hamstring strain,” ESPNDallas.com reported.
“I’m fine,” Bryant said as he walked off the field, per ESPNDallas.com.
I feel like we’re back in 2011 when both Bryant and Miles Austin were dealing with hamstring injuries. This is the second season in a row that both guys are hobbled early in the season.
Where’s Laurent Robinson when you need him? Wait, that’s right, he’s in Jacksonville now.
AP Photo
Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones isn’t very happy with cornerback Morris Claiborne. He believes the rookie needs to toughen up and play through injuries.
“Mo Claiborne’s got to get out there,” Jones told the Elf & Slater Show on 105.3 (via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News). “The times he’s been out there, it’€™s been impressive. But he certainly can’€™t make the club in the tub, if you will. He’s got to get out there. It’s time. We got to start having a mentality that we’re going to play through things.”
AP Photo
“You don’t ever see Jason Witten missing practice, and he’s going on 10 [seasons]. He just won’t miss. So, we got to have the young guys step up and play better,” Jones added.
I tell you, the Cowboys really know how to encourage their players. You have Jerry Jones constantly ripping Dez Bryant in the media and now his son is doing the same thing with Claiborne. And they wonder why they’ve won one playoff game in the past 15-plus seasons.
AP Photo
Just last week we mentioned that undrafted rookie free agent wide receiver Cole Beasley had quit the Cowboys as well as the game of football.
Well now Beasley is back and will likely be the Cowboys’ third receiver on Monday night against the Raiders. Head coach Jason Garrett likes what he sees from Beasley since he’s come back.
“Like we talked when he left, sometimes young players need to regain their perspective on where they are,” coach Jason Garrett said. “One of the things we really liked about Cole Beasley coming out of school was his love of the game, his passion for the game, his willingness to work at it. That’s just how he’s always played. It showed up on tape of him in college. It showed up when he was around us in the spring. So for him to leave, we just had to try to help him regain his perspective. And when he came back, he was the guy we knew and the guy we were excited about signing after the draft.”
The Cowboys desperately need a third receiver to step up and it could end up being Beasley.
AP Photo
According to Don Banks of SI.com, Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray has looked great in training camp so far, after a break out year during his rookie season in 2011.
“Last year’s breakthrough rushing star has gotten off to an eye-opening getaway in his second season, and he looks determined to prove he was no half-season flash in the pan in 2011, when he gained a team-best 897 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry despite starting just seven games,” wrote Banks. “Murray’s season ended early in Week 14, when he fractured his right ankle in a home loss to the Giants, and Dallas’ playoff contention expired shortly thereafter.
“Murray is running with speed, power and determination, and shows no ill effects of his December leg injury. I’m the last guy to give fantasy football advice, but if I played, I’d find room for him on my roster. He rushed for just two touchdowns last year, a total he calls unacceptable and one he vows to increase many times over. His teammates gush about his intensity and how he runs with a mean streak, and in one recent practice he set the tone by bowling over reserve cornerback Teddy Williams, sending him to the sidelines with a concussion.”
Murray is hands down the best running back on the Cowboys roster. If he’s able to stay healthy this season, their running game will give opposing defenses major problems.
AP Photo
Last night we mentioned that Plaxico Burress’ agent Drew Rosenhaus has been in contact with the Dallas Cowboys. It looks like they’re not ready to sign him just yet.
According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com,the Cowboys are only interested in Burress is they lose either Miles Austin or Dez Bryant to injury.
“A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that the Cowboys have Burress ‘high on their list’ in the event of an injury,” Florio reported.
What’s funny is that Austin has already tweaked his hamstring and the Cowboys don’t have a player on their roster that can be an effective third receiver.
AP Photo
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten told KTCK in Dallas (via SportsRadioInterviews.com) that they have a sense of urgency right now as they approach the the regular season.
“You come to the league and you set personal goals and you work your tail off to achieve those things,” said Witten. “Every year you re-assess it and you have those personal goals but at some point it’s not about getting another 50 catches, it’s about winning a championship. That’s our focus. I think the question was asked about the window, is it open or closed? And my answer was there is a tremendous amount of urgency we have right now and it needs to be that way. We believe we have a good enough core group of guys that can have success. We have to go do it though. We can’t talk about it. 8-8 is not achieving that.”
It seems that each and every offseason, either Witten or quarterback Tony Romo talks about how disappointing the previous season was and claims that they’re really looking forward to making up for their failures during the upcoming season.
I’ll believe it when I see it.