While Thursday was supposed to be the final full-practice day for the Cowboys in Oxnard, coach Jason Garrett gave his team a treat.
He took the team out of full pads and, with about 90 minutes still remaining on the schedule, called the team together in a huddle.
Garrett put the field goal units out on the field and then told the entire squad it would be headed to a team outing at the beach … if second-year kicker Dan Bailey could kick a 25-yard field goal.
As the players cheered with excitement and joyfully gathered around to see the kick, Bailey nailed the ball through the uprights, causing the players to erupt with excitement. After the kick, the entire squad bolted off the field, bypassing a good crowd hoping to see one last practice in Oxnard.
The Cowboys wrap up camp with one walk-through practice Friday before boarding a train to San Diego.
Surgery for McSurdy: Rookie linebacker Caleb McSurdy was already back in Dallas on Thursday and undergoing surgery on his torn Achilles injury he suffered in Wednesday afternoon’s practice.
Garrett said he hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to him by phone as of Thursday afternoon, but he planned to before the team departed for San Diego. The Cowboys will likely move him to the waived/injured list with hopes he clears waivers and returns to the team at the start of the regular season where he can rehab and remain with the club all season.
A seventh-round pick from Montana, McSurdy had a legitimate chance to earn a roster spot on the 53-man as a fourth inside linebacker.
Rookie CB itching to play: First-round pick Morris Claiborne is getting antsy to play his first game with the Cowboys, an event that should happen Saturday night in San Diego. The rookie from LSU, who has been out the last week with a knee injury, is expected to play against the Chargers.
“I’m very excited,” Claiborne said. “It’s been a while since I’ve played in a game. I’ve missed a little time in practice and can’t get those reps back, but I’m trying to make the most of it when I’m out there.”
Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said Thursday he’s excited to “unleash” the rookie cornerback, who has been working again with the first-team defense and will likely start against the Chargers.
Nagy claimed by the Lions: The Cowboys were hopeful second-year guard Bill Nagy would clear waivers with a chance to rejoin the club. Instead, Nagy was claimed off waivers by Detroit, despite having an ankle injury that will likely keep him out for all of 2012.
Nagy initially suffered a high-ankle sprain on his left ankle, the same ankle he broke in a game last season that put him on IR. Nagy started four games for the Cowboys, who liked his position flexibility to play guard and center. The Cowboys placed him on waived/injured with the hopes he would clear and be able to join the team and rehab his injury here.
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