OXNARD, Calif. – While the Cowboys didn't suffer any major injury setbacks in the preseason opener with the Chargers, there were a couple of injuries that should keep some offensive players out for a while.
Tight end James Hanna sustained a sprained knee in the game. Jason Garrett said Hanna's status is "day-to-day" but word around camp is the fourth-year tight end could miss as many as two weeks.
Running back Gus Johnson will also be "day-to-day" after sustaining a shoulder injury. Johnson's initial assessment was a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. He not only started the game against the Chargers, but played deep into the third quarter before the setback.
While Johnson has a had a good camp so far, he's received the majority of his carries due to injuries among the top three backs. That should change Saturday evening with Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar both coming back to practice. Joseph Randle (oblique) should be working into practice this week as well.
With Hanna down, the Cowboys will likely use rookie Geoff Swain and Brandon Burden more, along with Gavin Escobar, who virtually played the entire game Thursday night.
With Johnson now out, the Cowboys need more depth at running back, a position addressed Saturday by signing two backs who worked out after the morning walk-through. The Cowboys signed Michael Hill (Missouri Western) and Ben Malena, who went to Texas A&M and spent last year's camp in Dallas. The club also worked out Zach Bauman.
- Brandon Carr was back on the field in a limited role Saturday, just a few days after his hand surgery. The veteran cornerback, who has never missed a start in his eight-year career, said "If I played right now, you wouldn't even know I was hurt." The Cowboys will remain cautious with Carr, who has a pin and screws inserted in his hand, which was wrapped in a mini-cast.
- Cornerback Orlando Scandrick is expected to practice Saturday evening, after participating in the morning walk-through. Scandrick has battled through soreness in knee, keeping him out of the preseason opener.
- Dez Bryant is not expected to practice over the "next couple of days," said Garrett.
- Doug Free (foot) will work back into drills Saturday afternoon. The Cowboys have two days of practice here in Oxnard over the weekend, then they'll welcome the St. Louis Rams for joint practice sessions on Monday and Tuesday. "Competition when you go against other people, it raises everyone's level," Garrett said.
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