Cowboys Notebook: Team might be cautious with Jay Ratliff

Cowboys DT Jay Ratliff looks as if he's close to being ready to play, but owner Jerry Jones says the team has to be careful about rushing him back if he's not 100 percent.

Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jay Ratliff is seemingly trying everything he can to get back on the field for Sunday’s game with the Seahawks.

He missed the opener last Wednesday in New York with a high-ankle sprain he suffered on Aug. 25 in the third preseason game.

Ratliff was on crutches just two weeks ago but did participate in Monday’s walk-through. He caught the eye of owner/GM Jerry Jones, who seemed hesitant to throw Ratliff back in the mix based on one positive workout.

“I watched him out there and it’s possible (he could play),” Jones said on his weekly radio show on the Cowboys’ flagship station (105.3 “The Fan”). “But I can’t tell you that one way or the other. He’s being very aggressive on it, and he’s making really good progress. Now, is it the smart thing to do? Where he plays is very demanding, plus (you've) got a lot of flak going on in there, so you need, really, to be at a high level of health with your wheels inside there. So, I’m sure that’ll weigh into it -- more importantly, just where he is as opposed to (having) another week (to recover).”

Ratliff was replaced by third-year pro Josh Brent, who held his own in the middle, along with versatile defensive end Sean Lissemore.

Cochart waived: The Cowboys have officially cut ties with tight end Colin Cochart, a move that was expected Wednesday before the opening game against the Giants. Cochart was claimed off waivers two weeks ago, mainly for insurance purposes if Jason Witten couldn’t play in the opener.

However, the Cowboys decided not to take Cochart on the trip to New York, even before Witten was medically cleared to play with his spleen injury.

Cochart hasn't practiced this week with the team. His release opens up a spot on the 53-man roster. It was expected that rookie Lance Dunbar would get signed, especially since the Cowboys took the practice-squad tailback on the trip to New York but decided not to sign him.

Expected back: For Sunday's game in Seattle, the Cowboys are hopeful to get a few players back who missed the opener. Most notably is cornerback Mike Jenkins, who missed all offseason with a shoulder injury that required rotator cuff surgery. Jenkins practiced last week and told reporters he is “anxious” to play this week against the Seahawks.

Also, safety Danny McCray, who is the team’s best special-teams player, is expected to play after missing the first game with a stinger/shoulder injury.

Romo needs votes: Despite the game being nearly a week old, the NFL hasn’t forgotten Tony Romo’s accomplishments in last Wednesday’s season-opening win over the Giants. Romo is up for two weekly awards that are chosen by fan votes.

Romo is one of three nominees for GMC’s Never Say Never Moment award, along with Peyton Manning and Mark Sanchez. Fans can vote on NFL.com/gmc.

Romo is also up for the FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Week, along with quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Matt Ryan. Fans can visit NFL.com/FedEx to vote for Romo, who completed 22 of 29 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns in the opener. His quarterback rating was 129.5.

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