Woodson done for season, but has hopes for next year

IRVING, Texas -- Darren Woodson has given up on the idea of playing this season for the Dallas Cowboys, but the five-time Pro Bowl safety isn't necessarily ready to end his career.

"It doesn't mean that I won't play next year," Woodson said Tuesday. "If I'm done, I'm done, but right now I've got to help out as much as I can here. At the same time, I've got to get ready. My mind says to get healthy."

Woodson hasn't practiced since having a herniated disc removed from his back in July, just before training camp began for his 13th season. He said he won't make a long-term determination about playing again until he's healthy.

The 35-year-old Woodson is the team's career leading tackler (1,350 tackles in 178 regular-season games) and the only player still around from all three Super Bowls the Cowboys won in the 1990s.

Woodson has two years left on the $20 million, five-year contract he got when he became a free agent after the 2001 season. The salary cap hits would be $4.3 million next season and $6.8 million in 2006, so it could become a business decision for the Cowboys, like fellow three-time Super Bowl champs Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith in the past.

The Cowboys put Woodson on the physically unable to perform list just before the season opener. He was put on the active roster Nov. 9, beating a league deadline that gave him a three-week window to return to practice. He will be put back on the PUP list for the rest of the season by next Tuesday.

His back feels fine, but Woodson's comeback was hampered by a nerve that runs from his back through his right leg. That has affected the strength in his leg and his ability to run and make cuts.

"Oh, the strength's coming back. It's a slow process. I'm getting better," he said. "It's healing, it's just slow. I wish I was 21, 22 again, that's for sure."