IRVING, Texas (AP) -Texas native Zach Thomas has a family divided by the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry before even playing in it.
Still, Thomas' first taste of the matchup won't be quite as bitter as it could have been for Dallas' leading tackler.
Sunday's game was supposed to be the first Thomas played against Jason Taylor, his teammate with the Miami Dolphins the past 11 seasons and his brother-in-law. But Taylor is out after a rare injury sustained after the Washington defensive end was kicked in the lower left leg.
"I hate to see that Jason is not playing, he's been healthy his whole career," Thomas said Thursday. "But if he has to take a week off, I'm cool with him taking this week off, let him get healthy."
Taylor's consecutive games streak will end at 133, seventh longest among active players. Taylor was hurt in Sunday's victory over Arizona and went to the hospital early Monday because of a mass of blood near his ankle. He needed surgery to alleviate the problem.
He hasn't missed a game since 1999.
Thomas said he hasn't spoken this week with Taylor or his sister, Katina, and wasn't sure if they were even making the trip.
"I'm sure he probably doesn't want to talk to me," Thomas said. "I don't know if I'll get to see him or not. But it will be awkward when I do see him and he's dressed with another team. After playing with him for 11 years, it will be different."
Taylor was sporting crutches and an Ace bandage this week, and could miss more than the Dallas game. Taylor and Thomas get another chance to play against each other Nov. 16 when the Cowboys go to Washington.
Thomas grew up in Pampa, about 340 miles from Texas Stadium, and watched Cowboys games with his father and grandfather. He was a standout at Texas Tech and then a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker during his 12 seasons in Miami.
As part of Bill Parcells' massive overhaul of the Dolphins in the spring, Taylor, a six-time Pro Bowler, was traded to Washington at the start of training camp.
Thomas has had an immediate impact for the Cowboys (3-0), with game-high totals in tackles the first two games, and a team-leading 30 stops so far.
"He still has it, that's what he shows me, his ability to run all over the field and get involved with a lot of tackles," linebacker Greg Ellis said. "I'm really impressed with his approach to games. It's really impressive to see a guy who's been playing that long and still out there able to do it at a high level."
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