T.O. might miss rest of preseason games
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
IRVING -- After aggravating a sore hamstring last week, Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens missed practice again Wednesday and will almost certainly miss his third consecutive preseason game when the Cowboys play San Francisco on Saturday.
With the preseason finale five days later, it's a real possibility that Owens will not play until the season opener Sept. 10 at Jacksonville.
"It's frustrating, but it's not where I need it to be to play and perform like I need to," Owens said. "I've gotten some people in over the weekend to kind of work on me. I'm feeling a little bit better than when I left camp....
"I'm back to my same words: It's day-to-day."
Asked if he was worried about Owens' continued absence and availability for the opener, Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said, "There is nothing I can do about it.
"I really don't know, and I can't worry about it. My job is to get my team ready for Jacksonville."
Owens won't be rushed to the field.
He's going to do it his way this time and return on his terms -- no matter the internal or external pressure.
Results of a second MRI exam showed fluid in the hamstring but no tear. Owens termed it a pull that affects the way he runs.
"My thing is I will be close to 100 percent before I get back on the field," Owens said. "I am not going to jeopardize my health because of speculation. So, at this point, I am going to be smart about it."
Owens, signed to a three-year, $25 million contract in March, came to Dallas to help the Cowboys win the Super Bowl and to rebuild his image after a turbulent and controversial stay with the Philadelphia Eagles.
As frustrated as Owens is, he understands that hamstring injuries take time to heal.
Carolina receiver Steve Smith and Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward have missed extensive practice time with similar injuries, and it isn't lost on Owens that he is the only one drawing national attention.
The 10-year veteran has said he doesn't want to be a problem for the Cowboys. But he said he will not succumb to pressure and jeopardize the future.
"I felt like I've done that before and gotten no respect from it," Owens said. "I'm just going to do what's best for me, and I know what's best for this team, and I know I'm looking at the big picture, and I know we need to win ballgames and try to get to the playoffs, and, obviously, ultimate goal, to win the Super Bowl."
After being sidelined for two weeks and missing the preseason opener against Seattle, Owens returned to practice last week, saying he did so to stop the negative speculation about his continued absence.
He participated in five consecutive practices before suffering a setback Saturday morning.
"I felt like I was never pressured to get back on the field," Owens said. "I just tried to compromise with some people, just try to be around the team and get back out there. It just flared up again. ... Just because the MRI doesn't show anything, that doesn't mean that I'm not hurting."
Owens blamed his setback on taking too many repetitions after being eased into the rotation the day he returned. He said that his reps weren't monitored in subsequent practices and that his body wasn't ready for the extended work.
Parcells said Owens has been attentive in meetings and is trying to learn the offense.
And Parcells is maintaining a patient posture in public. Although he would prefer Owens play some in the preseason, Parcells said it's not a requirement. However, practicing before the Jacksonville game is a priority.
"I wouldn't put a player out there if I haven't seen him practice," Parcells said.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
IRVING -- After aggravating a sore hamstring last week, Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens missed practice again Wednesday and will almost certainly miss his third consecutive preseason game when the Cowboys play San Francisco on Saturday.
With the preseason finale five days later, it's a real possibility that Owens will not play until the season opener Sept. 10 at Jacksonville.
"It's frustrating, but it's not where I need it to be to play and perform like I need to," Owens said. "I've gotten some people in over the weekend to kind of work on me. I'm feeling a little bit better than when I left camp....
"I'm back to my same words: It's day-to-day."
Asked if he was worried about Owens' continued absence and availability for the opener, Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said, "There is nothing I can do about it.
"I really don't know, and I can't worry about it. My job is to get my team ready for Jacksonville."
Owens won't be rushed to the field.
He's going to do it his way this time and return on his terms -- no matter the internal or external pressure.
Results of a second MRI exam showed fluid in the hamstring but no tear. Owens termed it a pull that affects the way he runs.
"My thing is I will be close to 100 percent before I get back on the field," Owens said. "I am not going to jeopardize my health because of speculation. So, at this point, I am going to be smart about it."
Owens, signed to a three-year, $25 million contract in March, came to Dallas to help the Cowboys win the Super Bowl and to rebuild his image after a turbulent and controversial stay with the Philadelphia Eagles.
As frustrated as Owens is, he understands that hamstring injuries take time to heal.
Carolina receiver Steve Smith and Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward have missed extensive practice time with similar injuries, and it isn't lost on Owens that he is the only one drawing national attention.
The 10-year veteran has said he doesn't want to be a problem for the Cowboys. But he said he will not succumb to pressure and jeopardize the future.
"I felt like I've done that before and gotten no respect from it," Owens said. "I'm just going to do what's best for me, and I know what's best for this team, and I know I'm looking at the big picture, and I know we need to win ballgames and try to get to the playoffs, and, obviously, ultimate goal, to win the Super Bowl."
After being sidelined for two weeks and missing the preseason opener against Seattle, Owens returned to practice last week, saying he did so to stop the negative speculation about his continued absence.
He participated in five consecutive practices before suffering a setback Saturday morning.
"I felt like I was never pressured to get back on the field," Owens said. "I just tried to compromise with some people, just try to be around the team and get back out there. It just flared up again. ... Just because the MRI doesn't show anything, that doesn't mean that I'm not hurting."
Owens blamed his setback on taking too many repetitions after being eased into the rotation the day he returned. He said that his reps weren't monitored in subsequent practices and that his body wasn't ready for the extended work.
Parcells said Owens has been attentive in meetings and is trying to learn the offense.
And Parcells is maintaining a patient posture in public. Although he would prefer Owens play some in the preseason, Parcells said it's not a requirement. However, practicing before the Jacksonville game is a priority.
"I wouldn't put a player out there if I haven't seen him practice," Parcells said.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:59 AM
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