Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode, who underwent a knee scope earlier this month and is expected to begin training camp this week on PUP (Physically Unable to Perform). Cowboys VP and Director of Player Personnel Stephen Jones didn't comment directly about Gurode's status, but it seems like his veteran center will have to work his way into practice again.
Being on PUP means his roster spot won't count towards the 90-player limit until he is cleared for practice. The Cowboys will also likely place rookie LB Bruce Carter on PUP as he rehabs his torn ACL injury from last November.
Gurode had the clean-up surgery about three weeks ago and has started running again. It's likely the Cowboys will slowly work with him to get back into shape. Since taking over as the starting center in 2006, Gurode has only missed two starts and it's not likely this injury will prohibit his chances of being ready for the season opener Sept. 11 against the Jets. But don't expect him to be playing much, if any, in the first two preseason games.
Gurode's injury will likely open the door for a host of youngsters to battle for playing time. Phil Costa worked at center last year and the club drafted Bill Nagy in the seventh round. The Cowboys have also signed a rookie free agent centers in Toledo's Kevin Kowalski.
