OXNARD, Calif.– The first practice after the Cowboys' second preseason matchup did more to affect the injury report than the actual game.
Wide receiver Terrance Williams returned to practice and tackles Jermey Parnell and Demetress Bell were back on the field practicing on a limited basis, but a plethora of Cowboys left the field with injuries.
Ernie Sims and Sean Lissemore both left the field early with groin injuries, while Eric Frampton missed the majority of practice with a hamstring injury. Darrion Weems also missed practice, joining injured Cowboys Morris Claiborne and Cole Beasley on the sideline. J.J. Wilcox wasn't hurt, but he missed practice for personal reasons to attend to his ailing mother.
Head coach Jason Garrett said Claiborne might be back this coming week. The starting corner only watched practice Sunday in his jersey and shorts, after hurting his knee in practice earlier this week.
Claiborne missed the Raiders preseason game, while Beasley injured his foot during the game and was wearing a boot during Sunday's practice.
Parnell and Bell were back to practice in full pads, but they weren't available for team drills and didn't do much work Sunday.
One of the lone positives to come out of practice was how Williams' performed. He didn't miss a step in his return, practicing fully and coming up with plays in 1-on-1 drills, 7-on-7 drills and team drills. Williams missed both preseason games with concussion-like symptoms after falling awkwardly in practice prior to the Hall of Fame Game.
"Today was really big because I felt like I had to continue to keep building from the time I left off a week ago," Williams said. "So, it was just a matter of getting my job done and doing it at a high speed."
Williams said it was tough to sit out, but he used the time to get coached up and take pointers from Dez Bryant and Miles Austin.
Quick Hits:
- Training camp beefs No. 2 and 3 happened during Sunday's late practice, though the first of the two fights was much bigger than the second. The first fracas happened between running back Phillip Tanner and linebacker Taylor Reed, who mixed it up a bit after a hard hit during a variation of the Oklahoma drill. In this particular instance, it was the running backs getting work as tacklers against the linebackers. Tanner and Reed made a tough collision, and the following argument brought the full defense together to sort it out. The two shook hands after it was over.
- The second mixup could hardly be called a fight. Guard David Arkin and defensive end Jabari Fletcher took issue with each other for the briefest moment, and then went back to the huddle.
- With two turnovers in two preseason games, it seems the Dallas defense is serious about creating more takeaways in 2013. Linebacker Sean Lee said it has to hold up over the course of the year, though. "We're going to have to find a way to play a full season where we get turnovers and be an effective defense and be consistent. Until we do that, it doesn't mean anything."
- Lee wasn't pleased with how the defense performed in Sunday's practice. "You go through days in camp where you're sluggish," he said. "The best teams and the best players find a way to still play well when they don't feel great. That's something that as a team and a defense we need to learn."
- Danny Coale made a play in practice for the first time this year when he caught a deep crossing route from Nick Stephens during seven-on-seven drills. Coale was all by himself between the safeties and linebackers for a gain of roughly 25. It was his first significant moment since returning from swelling in his knee last week.
- Coale also worked as a punt returner with Cole Beasley sitting out with his injured foot.
- Dan Bailey suffered a rare setback during two-minute-drill Sunday, as he hit the upright on a 45-yard attempt.
Notable Standouts:
Terrance Williams, WR:As noted above -- truly impressive performance Sunday after more than a week away from the playing field.
Tim Benford, WR:Another wideout who stood out Sunday. Benford didn't make any game-changing plays, but he came up with four or so really nice grabs in short yardage and possession situations. Nearly all of those catches came out or away from his body, giving him a chance to show a nice set of hands. It seems unlikely Benford can climb past the likes of Coale, Beasley and Anthony Armstrong on the depth chart, but days like that can't hurt.
Brandon Carr, CB:The birth of Carr's son caused him to miss both practices last week, and he had few opportunities to assert himself against Oakland. Carr bounced back from that with a nice practice, as he blew past Dez Bryant to nab an interception during one-on-one drills. One play from full team practice stands out in particular, as Carr forced running back DeMarco Murray to the sideline and then dropped him with a lowered shoulder. It was an impressive bit of physicality from Carr, which is exactly what the Cowboys want from their corners in this new defensive scheme.
Play of the Day:
The most noteworthy play of the evening session produced two wins for the Cowboys' defense on the same play. In full team drills, Romo play faked to Murray and stepped up to his right in the pocket. Defensive end George Selvie broke through the middle of the line and reached Romo – it would have been a sack during live action. Instead, Romo uncorked a deep ball down the near sideline toward Bryant, who leapt up for the ball. Before Bryant could get to it, though, safety Barry Church broke from behind Bryant and snatched it. Church broke away and returned it down the sideline for 20 or so yards.
Injury Report:
Missed Practice:
S J.J. Wilcox (non-injury)* *
CB Morris Claiborne (knee)
OT Darrion Weems
LB Alex Albright (back)
G Kevin Kowalski (leg)
G Ray Dominguez (shoulder)
DE Anthony Spencer (knee)
DE Tyrone Crawford (Achilles)
DT Jay Ratliff (hamstring)
Left Practice:
LB Ernie Sims (groin)
DT Sean Lissemore (groin)
S Eric Frampton (hamstring)
Returned to Practice:
WR Terrance Williams (concussion)
OT Jermey Parnell (limited)
OT Demetress Bell (limited)
Transactions:
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- August 1 –Released DE Cameron Sheffieldand CB Devin Smith. Signed G Jeff Olson and T James Nelson.
- August 2 – G Mackenzy Bernadeaupassed his physical and returned to practice.
- August 6 –Released P Spencer Bentonand DE Monte Taylor. Signed DE Jabari Fletcherand G Dennis Godfrey
- August 8 –Released G Jeff Olson. Signed G Dennis Godfrey.
- August 11– T Demetress Bellpassed his physical and returned to practice. Released LS Jackson Anderson. Signed K Brett Maherand LS P.J. Mangieri.
Upcoming Schedule:
Monday, August 12
10:30 a.m. (PDT) Walk-Thru
12:00 p.m. (PDT) Coach Garrett press conference
4:00 p.m. (PDT) Practice
Tuesday, August 13
10:30 a.m. (PDT) Walk-Thru
12:00 p.m. (PDT) Coach Garrett press conference
4:00 p.m. (PDT) Practice
