IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys' season is far from over but for inside linebacker Sean Lee, he can go ahead and get himself prepared for next year.
While Lee will stay engaged with the team and be on the sidelines as much as possible, he did take the first step to a full recovery on Tuesday when he underwent successful surgery to repair torn ligaments on his right big toe.
Lee said he is hopeful to be fully recovered by the start of the offseason conditioning program next spring, and especially the minicamp and OTA practices as well.
Lee was on the sidelines for Sunday's game with the Giants, while on crutches. Last week, Lee expressed a desire to make the road trips if he's cleared medically.
"If I disconnect, I'm not part of the team at all," Lee said. "If I can help in a small way, it'll still help. I think this defense will continue to get better with or without me. I want to be a part of it."
In Lee's absence, the Cowboys got a solid game from Bruce Carter, who had seven tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage. But Lee's replacement Dan Connor didn't make it through the second quarter before re-aggravating a neck strain. Connor left the game with a stinger and MRI results on Monday showed it could be an injury that keeps him out for Sunday's game in Atlanta. Orie Lemon and newly-signed veteran Ernie Sims will both gets reps at inside backer, opposite of Carter.
