Quick Hits: Newman To Start For Ailing Henry
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Quick Hits: Newman To Start For Ailing Henry
IRVING, Texas - Despite their success, the undefeated Dallas Cowboys (4-0) still have key players recovering from various injuries heading into Monday night's game against the Buffalo Bills, once again keeping the team from reaching full strength.
The good news is cornerback Terence Newman will start Monday night against the Bills for the first time this season, finally improving enough to resume his role on the defense after suffering a partially torn plantar fascia. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said Newman had a good practice Friday.
The bad news is, while Newman is returning, he will be taking the place of the team's other starting cornerback, Anthony Henry, who suffered a high ankle sprain in last Sunday's victory over the St. Louis Rams. Henry was held out of practice all week, and Phillips said he has a chance of returning in time for next Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. Henry is one of three players listed as out for the game.
Without Henry, Newman will hold down the right cornerback spot and Jacques Reeves, who started the first four games for Newman on the left side, will stay put. That also means Nate Jones will resume his early-season role as the nickel back.
Newman made his regular-season debut against Chicago after missing the first two games because of a partially torn plantar fascia. Phillips said he is still not 100 percent, but that Newman is ready to take the next step.
The absence of special teams captain Keith Davis (shoulder) was felt last Sunday, and he could be out again. The Rams tied the game at 7-7 in the second quarter when Dante Hall evaded defenders to return a Mat McBriar punt 85 yards for a touchdown. Phillips says the touchdown was a result of a mistake and not a coverage problem, and that he's happy with the group the Cowboys have on special teams.
But Davis says his chances to play on Monday in Buffalo are "50-50," which concurs with Phillips' estimation. The safety suited up for practice Friday, but Phillips said in his press conference Davis' participation was limited and his injury is significant enough "that he would not come right back" to operating fulltime. The Cowboys are listing Davis as questionable.
"We'll just see how the next few days go," Davis said before practice of the possibility of playing Monday.
Linebacker Greg Ellis is ready for his second game of the season after making his 2007 debut on a limited basis against St. Louis. Ellis only participated in 15 plays against the Rams, but managed to record 1½ sacks. He will likely continue to be used as a "situational player" on the nickel defense.
"He's in good physical shape, but he's not ready to take every snap," Phillips said of Ellis' expected role in Monday's game.
The 10th-year Cowboys veteran tore his Achilles last November and spent training camp and preseason battling bursitis in his heel. Ellis still is somewhat limited in practice.
Another injured starter continues to give a rookie the opportunity of a lifetime. Fullback Oliver Hoyte has missed the last two games with a neck injury, allowing sixth-round draft choice Deon Anderson to step into his place. Phillips said Hoyte did not take any snaps with the first team during practice on Friday and has listed him as doubtful for the game.
"We're seeing some good things from [Anderson]," Phillips said. "He has his own attributes, like his quickness."
Wide receiver Terry Glenn and safety Courtney Brown are still listed as out, and are a few weeks away from returning. Glenn underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Sept. 13 and isn't expected to begin playing until the middle of the season. Brown suffered a torn biceps in practice last week and will be out for at least a few more weeks, according to Phillips.
Quick Hits: Newman To Start For Ailing Henry
IRVING, Texas - Despite their success, the undefeated Dallas Cowboys (4-0) still have key players recovering from various injuries heading into Monday night's game against the Buffalo Bills, once again keeping the team from reaching full strength.
The good news is cornerback Terence Newman will start Monday night against the Bills for the first time this season, finally improving enough to resume his role on the defense after suffering a partially torn plantar fascia. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said Newman had a good practice Friday.
The bad news is, while Newman is returning, he will be taking the place of the team's other starting cornerback, Anthony Henry, who suffered a high ankle sprain in last Sunday's victory over the St. Louis Rams. Henry was held out of practice all week, and Phillips said he has a chance of returning in time for next Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. Henry is one of three players listed as out for the game.
Without Henry, Newman will hold down the right cornerback spot and Jacques Reeves, who started the first four games for Newman on the left side, will stay put. That also means Nate Jones will resume his early-season role as the nickel back.
Newman made his regular-season debut against Chicago after missing the first two games because of a partially torn plantar fascia. Phillips said he is still not 100 percent, but that Newman is ready to take the next step.
The absence of special teams captain Keith Davis (shoulder) was felt last Sunday, and he could be out again. The Rams tied the game at 7-7 in the second quarter when Dante Hall evaded defenders to return a Mat McBriar punt 85 yards for a touchdown. Phillips says the touchdown was a result of a mistake and not a coverage problem, and that he's happy with the group the Cowboys have on special teams.
But Davis says his chances to play on Monday in Buffalo are "50-50," which concurs with Phillips' estimation. The safety suited up for practice Friday, but Phillips said in his press conference Davis' participation was limited and his injury is significant enough "that he would not come right back" to operating fulltime. The Cowboys are listing Davis as questionable.
"We'll just see how the next few days go," Davis said before practice of the possibility of playing Monday.
Linebacker Greg Ellis is ready for his second game of the season after making his 2007 debut on a limited basis against St. Louis. Ellis only participated in 15 plays against the Rams, but managed to record 1½ sacks. He will likely continue to be used as a "situational player" on the nickel defense.
"He's in good physical shape, but he's not ready to take every snap," Phillips said of Ellis' expected role in Monday's game.
The 10th-year Cowboys veteran tore his Achilles last November and spent training camp and preseason battling bursitis in his heel. Ellis still is somewhat limited in practice.
Another injured starter continues to give a rookie the opportunity of a lifetime. Fullback Oliver Hoyte has missed the last two games with a neck injury, allowing sixth-round draft choice Deon Anderson to step into his place. Phillips said Hoyte did not take any snaps with the first team during practice on Friday and has listed him as doubtful for the game.
"We're seeing some good things from [Anderson]," Phillips said. "He has his own attributes, like his quickness."
Wide receiver Terry Glenn and safety Courtney Brown are still listed as out, and are a few weeks away from returning. Glenn underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Sept. 13 and isn't expected to begin playing until the middle of the season. Brown suffered a torn biceps in practice last week and will be out for at least a few more weeks, according to Phillips.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:31 AM
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