IRVING, Texas - While it may feel like the organization is scrambling to try and recover from the devastating news of losing linebacker Sean Lee, the players and coaches held practice on Wednesday just like any other day. However, there were a couple of new faces on the field, presumably trying to learn as much as they can in a short amount of time.
-Felix Jones, who received 15 carries on Sunday against the Panthers and will likely be asked to be the starting running back this weekend against the Giants, was not on the practice field. Jones has had issues with a knee injury and his absence is likely just an opportunity for him to rest it.
-Without Jones on the field it left the Cowboys without their top two running backs for Wednesday's practice. As expected, DeMarco Murray did not attend practice while he recovers from a severe foot sprain.
Jason Garrett said of Murray's progress, "He's moving around better. He's in the meetings and we'll see just where he is."
-Newly signed safety Charlie Peprah was out on the field warming up with the rest of the team. Peprah, a product of Fort Worth and Plano, has been in the league since 2006 and won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers. Garrett spoke on Peprah's experience.
"Being a starter, he's a smart football player and a good athlete with good awareness."
-Also on the field was Ernie Sims who was brought in to help partially cushion the blow of losing Lee. Sims was a former number nine overall pick with the Detroit Lions and spent last season with the Indianapolis Colts.
-The practice field was missing wide receiver Raymond Radway who was released from the Cowboys practice squad in order to sign linebacker Jerry Brown to the practice squad. Brown was on the field working with the team.
-Linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer looked as if they were not full participants in the practice. Spencer was warming up with a helmet and shells, but was wearing shorts. Ware seemed to just have shorts on and a jersey. He did not look to have a helmet with him. Reports claim that an illness is the reason for Ware's limited participation.
-After injuring his ankle in a Sunday's game against the Panthers*center Phil Costa* was not on the field with the rest of the team. The timetable for Costa's return is not entirely certain, but he is expected to miss at least this Sunday's game against the Giants.
