IRVING, Texas – There isn't a position on the Cowboys with as much uncertainty right now as the linebackers.
Sean Lee could miss this week's game after suffering a concussion last Sunday and Anthony Hitchens is questionable with an ankle injury. And even starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain was limited on Wednesday with a hand injury.
One player making sure he's ready to go – at some spot – is veteran Andrew Gachkar.
Coaches always speak highly of having versatile players who can play multiple positions and it's for situations like this. The Cowboys don't know if they'll have Lee and/or Hitchens, but Gachkar is getting himself prepared for anything.
"I've kind of made a career out of being ready whenever my number is called," said Gachkar, who played four seasons (2011-14) with the Chargers. "I did it in San Diego, but it's not the easiest thing in the world to do it in a game. They say all of a sudden, 'You're in.' You don't know how the line is playing. It takes a couple of reps at least to feel comfortable."
But being a backup player and key special teams contributor, Gachkar knows sometimes you don't always get that luxury of knowing when his number will be dialed. That's why he's getting himself prepared to play during the week.
On Wednesday, he got some reps at weak-side linebacker, but he can switch to the strong side or even play in the middle. [embeddedad0]
"I'm always ready to play. I know every position. The coaches trust me," Gachkar said. "If 'Hitch' can go, I'll be ready to go wherever I'm needed. If he can't go, I'm ready to play. I'm not worried about it."
Asked about what it takes to learn all of the positions, Gachkar credited the coaches, particular linebacker coach Matt Eberflus.
"He has done a good job of playing me at every spot," he said. "Once you learn the spot, you have to understand the defense. If I know I have this on this play, it correlates with this position and I should know what he has. Some guys just know what they have. I like to know every spot. It helps me. It makes me better at the spot I go in at. I enjoy being able to play any spot they need me."
As of now, the Cowboys aren't sure where they might need him the most. But it's certainly looking like his services will be needed somewhere, if not everywhere.
