IRVING, Texas – Cornerback Morris Claiborne felt no ill effects Sunday of the dislocated shoulder that had him frustrated and in pain the last two weeks.
Claiborne said Sunday might have been one of his most complete games as an NFL cornerback, making a pass deflection in the end zone with his bad arm and two aggressive tackles that didn't leave him writhing in pain. [embedded_ad]
"It's just no thinking anymore," said Claiborne, who got a shot in the shoulder before the game. "I'm just out playing. Whatever happens, happens. I feel like I've prepared myself well enough, prayed over it enough, I just put it in God's hands, and whatever happens, it happens."
The second-year corner could feel the shoulder bothering him last week against the Chiefs, when he was bowled over by Jamaal Charles on an attempted tackle. He said he was hoping he could get a similar opportunity to make a tackle this week, which he did quickly with an aggressive hit after a catch by Tavon Austin, holding the Rams receiver to one yard on the play in the first quarter.
He said he was praying for the chance to come up and make a play with a runner out in the flat.
"It was just one of those things where I wanted that opportunity to come back again," Claiborne said. "I had it last week, and I failed at it. That was one of those things all week, I wanted that opportunity to present itself again, and I think I handled it well."
Claiborne said he felt like he played well and held his own against the Rams, as constant pressure stormed down on Rams quarterback Sam Bradford throughout the day. Claiborne didn't seemed bothered by the shoulder injury he's fighting through, breaking up a pass intended for Chris Givens in the back of the end zone in the fourth quarter.
It was hard to find a mistake from Claiborne throughout the day, besides an iffy pass interference call on a play against Givens down the sideline.
"From my vantage point, it looked like he was solid," said head coach Jason Garrett. "We'll have to take a peek at that pass interference, but I thought he did a really good job just playing the guy the right way. I mean, that play happens a lot in football. I think he's getting healthier and healthier, and I think with that he becomes more and more confident as a player."
