Mosley says Newman is out for Sunday - 9/5/08
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Cowboys Pro Bowl cornerback Terence Newman (groin) has been listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Cleveland, but a high-ranking club source told me Friday that it's highly unlikely that he'll play. Newman suffered the injury July 28 during training camp and missed the entire exhibition season, although he did eventually return to practice.
The Cowboys' injury report indicated Wednesday that Newman fully participated in practice, but head coach Wade Phillips now says that report was inaccurate. He's participated in limited activities the past three days.
If Newman can't go against the Browns, recently reinstated cornerback Adam Jones will replace him at left corner. Anthony Henry will be in his familiar spot at right corner and fifth-round rookie Orlando Scandrick would take Newman's spot in the nickel defense. The Cowboys feel like cornerback is their deepest position, but facing Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth without Newman is still a dicey proposition.
From what I'm told, Newman is missing the acceleration he needs to perform at a high level. The Cowboys don't want to risk further injury to him -- especially with a huge division game coming up the following Monday.
"I don't think he's completely back yet," Phillips said. "That's why I say we're being cautious. We want to see how it feels [Friday]."
Last year, Newman was inactive the first two games because of a foot injury, and he didn't immediately return to the starting lineup. The Cowboys are preparing as if Newman won't be on the field. In the club's dime package, rookie Mike Jenkins will join the other three corners on the field. Henry will match up
against tight end Kellen Winslow in that scenario.
Newman, who signed a lucrative contract extension during the offseason, has rushed back onto the practice field in the past, but you get the sense that he'll take his time with this injury.
Some of you who were born with fast-twitch muscles know how difficult it is to recover from this type of injury. If you're like me, there's no way you can relate. I'm flying to Cleveland tomorrow for the game, so I should have more details as we go.
Cowboys Pro Bowl cornerback Terence Newman (groin) has been listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Cleveland, but a high-ranking club source told me Friday that it's highly unlikely that he'll play. Newman suffered the injury July 28 during training camp and missed the entire exhibition season, although he did eventually return to practice.
The Cowboys' injury report indicated Wednesday that Newman fully participated in practice, but head coach Wade Phillips now says that report was inaccurate. He's participated in limited activities the past three days.
If Newman can't go against the Browns, recently reinstated cornerback Adam Jones will replace him at left corner. Anthony Henry will be in his familiar spot at right corner and fifth-round rookie Orlando Scandrick would take Newman's spot in the nickel defense. The Cowboys feel like cornerback is their deepest position, but facing Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth without Newman is still a dicey proposition.
From what I'm told, Newman is missing the acceleration he needs to perform at a high level. The Cowboys don't want to risk further injury to him -- especially with a huge division game coming up the following Monday.
"I don't think he's completely back yet," Phillips said. "That's why I say we're being cautious. We want to see how it feels [Friday]."
Last year, Newman was inactive the first two games because of a foot injury, and he didn't immediately return to the starting lineup. The Cowboys are preparing as if Newman won't be on the field. In the club's dime package, rookie Mike Jenkins will join the other three corners on the field. Henry will match up
against tight end Kellen Winslow in that scenario.
Newman, who signed a lucrative contract extension during the offseason, has rushed back onto the practice field in the past, but you get the sense that he'll take his time with this injury.
Some of you who were born with fast-twitch muscles know how difficult it is to recover from this type of injury. If you're like me, there's no way you can relate. I'm flying to Cleveland tomorrow for the game, so I should have more details as we go.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:19 AM
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