FRISCO – Amid his efforts to provide updates about Dez Bryant and La'el Collins, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones also updated some older injury news on Tuesday.
All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith and veteran cornerback Orlando Scandrick both sat out of Sunday's win against Chicago with injury problems. Scandrick was limited throughout last week by issues with both of his hamstrings.
Smith showed up on the injury report Friday with a back problem, but it came as a bit of a shock to see him listed as one of seven inactives for the game against the Bears.
"We thought he would play Sunday, and that was a little surprise for us," Jones said. "It was more back spasm than structural, is my understanding. At this juncture, I'm going on the basis that he'll play."
The Cowboys tried to get Smith ready to play on Sunday, but he couldn't quite shake those back spasms that bothered him over the weekend. It sounds like his status will continue to be monitored heading through the week.
"Well, I hope Tyron is ready to go, but we'll just have to see," Jones said.
Scandrick was considered a gametime decision, as he didn't participate in practice all week long. He worked with team athletic trainers on Sunday evening, but they ultimately didn't feel good enough about his status to give him the go-ahead.
"Scandrick – those soft tissue, both those hams will be monitored," Jones said. "We'll have to be real careful here, because he's got two of them and you've got to nurse those along."
The Cowboys begin practicing for Week 4 on Wednesday afternoon. It sounds like Scandrick and Smith will be both be names to watch as Sunday's game against San Francisco approaches.
-- David Helman
