IRVING, Texas – Two Cowboys veterans are expected to have offseason surgery in the next week, after the conclusion of the 2014 season.
Jeremy Mincey and Doug Free will both undergo surgery – neither of which should limit them for upcoming offseason programs. Mincey will have his surgery Thursday, while Free's will come next week.
Free's surgery is a bit more expected, as he battled against injuries in his ankle and foot for the majority of the season.
Free suffered an ankle injury Dec. 14 against Philadelphia and he never returned to the lineup, though the Cowboys were hopeful he might be able to if their playoff run had continued. He is also expected to have his foot looked at, as he suffered a stress fracture Oct. 12 against Seattle that forced him out for three games.
[embeddedad0]
Mincey didn't miss any games this season, which makes his surgery slightly more surprising. As a 2014 free agency acquisition, he led the Dallas defense with six sacks on the year. He'll have a small procedure on his elbow – which, again, isn't expected to limit him for the Cowboys' offseason program.
The Cowboys signed Mincey to a two-year deal last spring, which means he's under contract until at least the end of the 2015 season.
Free is a little more interesting, however, as he's scheduled to become a free agent when the league year begins in March. His backup, Jermey Parnell, is also slated to become a free agent after starting seven games in his place this season.
How the Cowboys address their right tackle position is one of the biggest questions on the offensive side of the ball this offseason.
