Colombo To Undergo Ankle Surgery

By Scott Crisp

Right tackle Marc Colombo will undergo surgery today to repair torn ligaments in his ankle, the result of the hit that fractured his left fibula during Sunday's 17-7 loss to Green Bay, reports the Dallas Morning News' Todd Archer. According to the report, the fracture will heal on its own.

Colombo will likely miss at least six weeks with the injury. He will be replaced by Doug Free, who played in Colombo's absence on Sunday.

Free was selected by the team in the fourth round of the 2007 draft out of Northern Illinois, ostensibly to be groomed as Flozell Adams' eventual replacement; the injury to Colombo will likely give Free his first real taste of NFL action. It is unclear whether the Cowboys will consider signing a veteran, with Colombo on the shelf.

Ken Hamlin, who also went down during the loss, reportedly has a high ankle sprain, a common and nagging injury that could keep him out for a few weeks. If he can't go, Alan ball or Pat Watkins will replace him in the secondary.

Cornerback Mike Jenkins said he doesn't expect to miss any time after suffering a bruised left arm attempting to tackle Green Bay's Donald Driver.