FRISCO, Texas – Head coach Jason Garrett said rookie starting left guard Connor Williams could need arthroscopic surgery for a knee injury he suffered in Monday's loss to Tennessee.
Williams played through the injury, but his knee flared up after the game and on Tuesday, Garrett said.
Williams, the Cowboys' 2018 second-round pick, has started all eight games at left guard. If he misses time, the club has a couple of contingency options.
Xavier Sua-Filo is the primary backup guard. Starting center Joe Looney also has guard experience, but moving him there would require two changes to the starting lineup, with Adam Redmond as the primary backup center. Travis Frederick is still on injured reserve recovering from Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Garrett indicated that La'el Collins would likely stay at right tackle despite his starting experience at guard.
"In our minds he's a tackle," Garrett said. "We do have some different options that we want to discuss as a staff here in the next day or so."
Other injury updates:
- Without giving a clear timetable, Garrett reiterated that linebacker Sean Lee is likely to miss "a little bit" of time with the left hamstring injury he suffered against Tennessee. Lee previously sat out three straight games with an injury to the same hamstring. Backup linebacker Joe Thomas is getting closer to a return from a foot injury.
- Garrett is hopeful that defensive end Randy Gregory (knee scope) is close to a return. Gregory tested the knee in a pre-game workout but ultimately was kept inactive against the Titans.
- Defensive lineman David Irving continues to work through the high ankle sprain he suffered in practice last week.
- Defensive end Taco Charlton missed a few snaps with a shoulder injury against the Titans and isn't likely to practice at the start of the week, Garrett said.
- Garrett is hopeful starting tight end Geoff Swaim (knee) can do more in practice as the week goes on. Swaim was inactive against Tennessee.
