It’s starting to look highly questionable for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jay Ratliff being in the lineup for Wednesday’s season opener against the Giants.
Ratliff, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the Aug. 25 game with the Rams, missed his second straight practice on Sunday. The Cowboys have just one light walkthrough Monday before departing for New York on Tuesday afternoon.
Just last week, Ratliff was still on crutches but did participate in a walkthrough on Thursday. It’s believed he will accompany the team to New York and expects to be a game-time decision. If he doesn’t play, the Cowboys will likely start Josh Brent at nose tackle, but expect Sean Lissemore to get plenty of snaps in the middle.
Ace in the hole -- The Cowboys have key injuries to a pair of Pro Bowlers in Jason Witten and Jay Ratliff, but an injury that could just as tough to overcome is one to safety Danny McCray. The Cowboys’ special teams ace has not practiced Wednesday or Thursday because of a stinger injury he sustained in the Aug. 25 game against St. Louis. McCray called the injury “more than just a stinger” because the pain is in his right shoulder and right arm. McCray has led the Cowboys in special teams tackles each of the last two seasons, becoming the first player since Bill Bates (1989-90) to accomplish that feat.
Emergency third QB? -- With the Cowboys deciding to keep just two quarterbacks on the roster -- Tony Romo and Kyle Orton -- coach Jason Garrett said the Cowboys haven’t spent a lot of time worrying about an emergency third QB in the game. If that disastrous scenario is needed, Garrett said TE John Phillips or WR Dwayne Harris would likely be called upon.
Injury report -- The Cowboys turned in their first injury report to the NFL on Sunday, listing 14 players, including three who did not practice (Ratliff, McCray, Matt Johnson).
Did Not Practice
S Matt Johnson (hamstring), S Danny McCray (neck/shoulder), NT Jay Ratliff (ankle).
Limited Practice
LB Dan Connor (hip), WR Andre Holmes (knee), CB Mike Jenkins (shoulder), LB Kyle Wilber (thumb), TE Jason Witten (abdomen).
Full Participation
WR Miles Austin (hamstring), WR Dez Bryant (knee), RB DeMarco Murray (wrist), C Phil Costa (back), RB Phillip Tanner (hand), OLB DeMarcus Ware (hamstring).
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