Considering he’s the only player drafted in the first two rounds, Cowboys rookie cornerback Morris Claiborne knows he is considered the prize of the draft.
But two days into training camp and Claiborne feels like he’s behind the rest. The reason for that feeling is simple: he is.
Claiborne missed all of the summer practices because of a pre-draft wrist injury that required surgery. While the No. 6 overall pick said he probably could’ve come back early, the Cowboys’ training staff opted to hold him out until now.
And now, Claiborne said he’s a little behind on his conditioning, but that’s something he doesn’t feel could’ve been avoided.
“I’m trying to get my legs under me right now,” Claiborne said. “When you’re out for a few months like that, you’re going to have a little rust in there, but so far, so good. I’m not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I know I’ve got some work to do. I feel pretty good with the plays. I know it’s just the conditioning. You can go out and run 1,000 laps, but you come back and play football, you’re still not going to be in football shape. So, it’s going to take some time to get used to that.”
The Cowboys made sure to test Claiborne right away. In the first drill of the first practice, the offense sent rookie wide receiver Tim Benford on a deep post. While Claiborne ran stride for stride, he did allow the catch to be made.
“Oh I knew they were going to test me right away,” Claiborne said with a huge grin. “I’m the rookie and the guy people want to challenge. That’s fine. I welcome it. That’s how you get better.”
As for the wrist, Claiborne said it’s basically a non-issue.
“I didn’t feel anything. The brace that they got for me is pretty handy, and I didn’t feel anything,” Claiborne said. “I’ll be in (the brace) the whole season. I’ve been, during my rehab, getting a little physical with it and just trying to push it.”
Claiborne is expected to be the Cowboys’ starting right cornerback, even when veteran Mike Jenkins returns from a lingering shoulder injury. Jenkins will likely start camp on PUP (Physically Unable to Perform). But the Cowboys made a bold statement in trading up to get Claiborne back in April, therefore he is expected to start.
Even if he’s taking the first few days of camp to get his legs underneath him.
Follow Cowboys reporter Nick Eatman on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLDAL.