FRISCO, Texas – Xavier Woods was just as confused as everyone else.
In the days following his ankle injury against Washington, there were conflicting reports about his timetable for return – including one that said he'd be sidelined for four-to-six weeks.
Given that he's preparing to play Sunday night against the Saints, clearly those reports were overestimated.
"I talked to the medical staff and they don't know where it came from. We all don't know where it came from," Woods said on Friday. "They gave me a timetable, and they said if I healed fast enough I could've play last week, but I'm good to go for this week."
Maybe if the Cowboys were in the playoffs, Woods could have played a role last week against the Dolphins. Considering the circumstances, it seemed like a smarter idea to let him rest. He mixed back into practice on Wednesday, and by Friday morning he was taking the starter reps.
"I've done everything I need to do," he said. "I've done everything I've been doing as far as reps today."
Only the Cowboys know whether he'll assume the full starter's responsibility in New Orleans. Darian Thompson played well in relief last week, and Woods said it's Kris Richard's decision.
Regardless, it'll be a big occasion for Woods just to get onto the field at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Woods is from West Monroe, La., and won a high school state championship in the Superdome while he was a player at West Monroe High School.
"It's big, man. I've been waiting on this for a long time," he said. "Just playing in the Dome when I was a kid, being able to go back as a pro – it's big for me. I've been waiting for this for a while."
