Monday, June 15, 2009

Felix (Calf) Will Sit This Afternoon; More Injuries

Posted by rphillips at 6/15/2009 1:56 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com

As the Cowboys head back to Standridge Stadium in Carrollton for their afternoon practice, here are some observations from the roughly 90-minute morning session:

*Cowboys scouting assistant Rich Behm, paralyzed below the waist in the May 2 practice facility collapse at Valley Ranch, watched from the press box. Behm also stopped by The Ranch last week. He’s continuing his rehabilitation as he aims to return to the office full-time in the future.

*Head coach Wade Phillips said running back Felix Jones will not practice this afternoon because of a calf contusion he suffered this morning.

*Wide receivers Miles Austin (hamstring) and Sam Hurd (quadriceps) likely will not practice this week. The Cowboys have been cautious with both players for the last couple of weeks, but their absences mean they won’t participate in another official practice until training camp starts in late July.

*The Cowboys also are holding out projected starting defensive end Igor Olshansky (back), though Phillips said Olshansky’s back is much better and probably wouldn’t keep him out during a game week.

*Except for an occasional, merciful breeze, the heat is stifling. My guess is the temperature on the field flirted with 100 degrees by the time practice ended. Phillips said he will monitor his players this afternoon and determine whether he needs to scale back their workload as a health precaution.

*Kicker Nick Folk (hip surgery) did some jogging and wide receiver Isaiah Stanback (knee scope) worked with the training staff. Both are expected to be ready for training camp. Guard Kyle Kosier (foot) and tight end Rodney Hannah also sat out again. Defensive end Jason Hatcher (knee) is back out there after missing the OTA’s.

*To add some receiving depth, the team signed Willie Reid, a former third-round pick of the Steelers in 2006 who spent time on the Eagles’ practice squad last year. Punter Matt Fodge also was signed as a tryout and presumably to take some pressure off incumbent Mat McBriar’s leg.

Back with some practice highlights in a bit.