Although the biggest news of the day still centers on tight end Jason Witten’s lacerated-spleen injury that will likely keep him sidelined for all of the preseason and possibly longer, the Dallas Cowboys got some more bad news at the end of Wednesday’s practice.

Rookie linebacker Caleb McSurdy suffered a torn Achilles, a season-long setback that is often considered one of the worst injuries to recover from.

McSurdy suffered the injury during a defensive drill and immediately went to the ground in pain. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan quickly came over to console the rookie, who was carted off the field and into the locker room.

A seventh-round pick from Montana, McSurdy was coming off a strong performance against Oakland in Monday’s preseason opener. The rookie was credited with four tackles against the Raiders and did a nice job of controlling the middle of the field against the Raiders' passing game.

McSurdy’s injury likely opens the door for Orie Lemon, a first-year linebacker who spent last year on the practice squad. However, Lemon is currently not practicing because of a minor neck strain. Coupled with the hand injury to Isaiah Greenhouse, the Cowboys are extremely short at middle linebacker after the key starters -- Sean Lee, Bruce Carter and Dan Connor.

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