The Cowboys have had a full list of players on the injury report this week, and despite the importance of Sunday’s winner-take-all showdown with the Redskins, this week is no exception.
But among the nine players listed on the injury report, four are linebackers, including DeMarcus Ware, who did not practice Wednesday because of shoulder and elbow injuries. Ware has played the last three games with a metal brace on his right elbow and also missed most of the second half last week with an unrelated shoulder injury that has given him problems the last few weeks.
But just like Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said on Monday when he predicted Ware would get himself ready to play, the linebacker said Wednesday he feels a lot better and said, “I’m going regardless," Ware’s main backup, Victor Butler, missed practice Wednesday with a groin injury.
Inside linebacker Ernie Sims tried to play last week after suffering a concussion the week before but only got through one snap against the Saints before feeling more dizziness. Sims practiced Wednesday and said he hopes to try it again Sunday night but expects to do a few more on-field tests this time around.
“I’m going to keep doing all the tests that they ask me to do,” Sims said. “Later in the week we’ll try to incorporate me into some (contact) drills and we’ll see if I can pass those as well and see where it goes from there.”
If he plays, Sims will likely start along with Dan Connor, although Alex Albright filled in for Sims once again last week. Albright was on the injury report, listed as limited participation with a knee injury.
Dez focused on ’Skins: With the season on the line this week, even the often-distracted Dez Bryant isn't taking the bait. When asked about possibly making the Pro Bowl or even a rematch with the trash-talking Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall, Bryant didn’t waver from his standard answer.
“We’re thinking about the Redskins right now,” Bryant said. “That’s all I’m focused about it. If (making the Pro Bowl) happens, that’d be great. But honestly, it’s all about the Redskins.”
As for Hall, who actually slapped Bryant in the face in the last meeting, Bryant said he knows what to expect.
“That’s his style of play,” Bryant said. “At the end of the day, he uses everything he needs to use to get into guys’ heads. Back then, it probably would have worked. But not now.”
Players subject to fines: If having four linebackers injured for Wednesday’s practice isn’t enough, backup linebacker Brady Poppinga also missed practice due to the weather. Poppinga’s flight was delayed, forcing him to miss the team bus to Cowboys Stadium, where the team practiced Wednesday because of icy field conditions at the team complex in Valley Ranch. Defensive tackle Robert Callaway also missed practice for the same reason.
Missing a mandatory practice could cost the players in the neighborhood of $10,000.
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