IRVING, Texas – Sean Lee was ruled out of Sunday's game against Washington on Friday afternoon, to the surprise of no one. But the linebacker is holding out hope he'll be available for the regular season finale against Philadelphia.
Lee missed his second-straight week of practice after injuring his neck in the Dec. 9 loss to Chicago. He said Monday following the loss to Green Bay that he still needed to be cleared by doctors and was unsure about a timetable for return.
Following a week of rehab work, though, Lee said he hopes to be available for the last game of the season if he can continue his upward trajectory.
"The symptoms have improved dramatically. If I can move forward and make another jump next week hopefully I can get back," he said.
Of course, a good bit of that likely depends on the Cowboys' playoff chances. It doesn't make much sense to risk Lee's longterm health if Dallas is eliminated from the postseason this weekend. It's just another reason to hope the finale is a meaningful one.
Another Return
Terrance Williams may be available for this weekend's game, but it still appears as though new signee Michael Spurlock will have a role to play against Washington.
The Cowboys signed Spurlock out of free agency this week as a precaution if Williams or Dwayne Harris were unavailable. Harris has been ruled out for the Redskins game, and Williams is considered questionable.
Spurlock's expertise is a special teamer and a returner, but there's some possibility he could be called on as a receiver, as well.
"We'll see what happens. It's always up to the coach and what he wants to do," Spurlock said. "If I get in I want to help the team and not hurt the team."
Spurlock spent part of the 2012 season with the San Diego Chargers. He said the similarities between the Cowboys' offense and former Chargers coach Norv Turner's offense has made the transition smooth.
"Coach Garrett and Norv pretty much have the same offense from when I was in San Diego with Norv Turner," he said. "Everybody is running pretty much the same
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Taking Pride
The playoffs aren't in the Redskins' future, but a chance to potentially knock the Cowboys out of the playoffs and a chance to possibly send London Fletcher's career out on a high note if he retires still remain for them.
Even more than that, Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said the most important thing they're still playing for is their pride. Shanahan said the games within the division are always the most passionate, but it's not about spoiling the season for Dallas.
"If you don't have enough pride where you want to win toward the end of the season and play your best football regardless, I don't think you last very long in the National Football League," Shanahan said. "I think everybody wants to end the season on a positive note."
Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said he has to expect anything from the Washington group without much to lose, but he also said the Redskins are an aggressive team by nature already. He also said the best players play their best regardless of the situation or the record. [embedded_ad]
"They're aggressive on offense, they're aggressive certainly with their defense and their overall approach," Garrett said. "That's an element to this game, there's no question about that. But they're a good football team who plays with an aggressive mentality. They always have."
*-Rowan Kavne *
WR Swap
The Cowboys placed practice squad wide receiver Jamar Newsome on practice-squad IR on Friday. Newsome, who has been on the squad most of the year, suffered a calf strain.
The club has replaced him with wide receiver Lance Lewis, who has been with the Redskins' organization the last two years, mostly on the practice squad.
Adding Lewis gives the Cowboys three receivers on the practice squad, along with Tim Benford and Lanear Sampson.
There was some speculation that one of the practice-squad receivers could get a call-up this week, depending on Terrance Williams' hamstring injury. After missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, Williams returned to practice Friday and is listed as questionable to play against the Redskins on Sunday.
-Nick Eatman
