What's The Scoop:
Wide receiver Patrick Crayton's high ankle sprain led the injury list reported Monday by Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells following Saturday's 13-3 preseason victory over Seattle.
Parcells said MRI results on Crayton's injury were "not quite as bad as we first thought," though he expects Crayton to miss at least a week. The Cowboys' projected third receiver had four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown against Seattle but left the game after getting his ankle rolled by another player, and has been relegated to a walking boot and crutches.
"I don't think he'll do much for a week and I think next Monday we'll probably know a lot more as the duration," said Parcells, who also didn't know if Terrell Owens (sore hamstring) would return to practice Monday. "But I'm thinking more time than that for sure."
Parcells said 24-year-old safety Justin Beriault will retire because of ongoing problems with his right knee. The Cowboys' sixth-round pick in 2005 spent all of last season on injured reserve following risky dual surgery to repair torn medial and lateral meniscus in his right knee.
No known NFL player has returned from Beriault's osteotomy surgery, including former Cowboys linebacker Kalen Thornton, who had the procedure performed the same day as Beriault's last year.
"Both of those kids had the same exact surgery and it's a very serious surgery," Parcells said. "It's not just a repair. They did some structural things to both of them.
"There's really not much more that we can do for (Beriault) at this moment. There's nothing else that we could do. In fact, I told him very strongly, 'I don't think you should ever play again.'"
Parcells also said there's a chance linebackers Ryan Fowler (groin) and Bobby Carpenter (bruised foot) will practice Monday afternoon. Fowler sat out the Seattle game as a precaution, and Carpenter's foot got stepped on during the game.
Quick Shots:
- Parcells said he hasn't decided if quarterback Drew Bledsoe will start Aug. 21 against New Orleans, but later admitted to being pretty sure he would. Backup Tony Romo started and went the whole way against Seattle, throwing one touchdown pass.
- Defensive end Marcus Spears (knee) and linebacker Rocky Boiman (thumb) are expected to return to practice Monday afternoon. Spears has missed practice since having arthroscopic knee surgery July 30 to repair torn meniscus in his knee. Boiman had surgery on his fractured right thumb Aug. 8.
- Parcells said rookie receiver Sam Hurd, who started the Seattle game and caught four passes for 40 yards, still needs to work on his catching technique. The rookie free agent dropped two potential catches.
- The Cowboys also released defensive end Jason Davis, a camp addition, trimming their training camp roster to 81 players.
You Should've Seen:
Cornerback Anthony Henry break up a deep pass intended for Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson on Saturday night. Henry kept stride with Burleson down the left sideline until the ball arrived, deftly knocking it away from the speedy receiver.
Who's Hot:
Tony Romo went the distance in his first NFL start Saturday night and demonstrated a good command of the offense. Parcells was generally pleased with Romo's performance, but said he learned he needs to "coach" Romo throughout the game. The fourth-year quarterback still hasn't thrown a regular-season pass.
Who's Not:
The Cowboys' wide receiver rotation is even more depleted now that Crayton will miss at least a week. Parcells said the Cowboys still could make a trade for a capable backup, but "we're a long way from completing any of that right now."
Injury Update:
S Justin Beriault, knee, expected to retire (8/14)
WR Patrick Crayton, sprained ankle (8/14)
LB Bobby Carpenter, bruised foot (8/14)
LB Ryan Fowler, groin (8/10)
LB Rocky Boiman, fractured right thumb (8/7), surgery (8-8)
WR Terrell Owens, sore hamstring (8/3)
DE Marcus Spears, knee (meniscus) - had knee scoped (7/30)
Missed Practice:
LB Rocky Boiman (thumb)
WR Terrell Owens (hamstring)
S Justin Beriault (knee, concussion)
DE Marcus Spears (knee surgery)
Returned to Practice:
LB Rocky Boiman (thumb - probable 8/14)
DE Marcus Spears (knee surgery - probable 8/14)
Transactions:
S Justin Beriault, to be designated (8/14)
DE Jason Davis, released (8/14)
TE Erik Jensen, signed (8/9)
WR LaShaun Ward, signed (8/9)
QB Matt Baker, signed (8/6)
LB Kai Parham, released (8/6)
QB Jeff Mroz, released (8/6)
DE Vontrell Jamison, released (8/2)
DE Jason Davis, signed (8/1)
LB J.J. Horne, released (7/31)
WR Ahmad Merritt, released (7/31)
CB Byron Parker, released (7/31)
TE Brett Pierce, placed on injured reserve (7/31)
T Flozell Adams moved from PUP to active roster (7/30)
LB Bobby Carpenter, signed (7/29)
T E.J. Whitley, placed on injured reserve (7/29)
T Flozell Adams, placed on active PUP (7/28)
S Darrell Brooks, released (7/28)
G Shannon Snell, released (7/28)
Top BILL-ing:
"I need more information. But I think we're going to get it, I think we're going to get it. And I'm hopeful that it'd be a starting quarterback someday. - Parcells on whether he has an indication that Tony Romo can be a starting quarterback or a backup in the future.
