Quick Hits – Injuries, Big Plays Highlight Cowboys Practices

Late start today after a long night at the job last night… noteworthy notes today…

JAVON WALKER SCARE

This is the type of thing one files under “season-ender” – but luckily for Broncos fans it looks like we really dodged a bullet when it comes to Javon Walker and the MRI he had taken on his knee. All signs are good, though, and it’s likely Javon will play tomorrow at Dallas in the pre-season game.

O-LINE, D-LINE DEPTH THINS OUT

Every drafted rookie is fighting through injury, and some more significant than others. Tim Crowder is out two weeks with a sprained ankle – tests were negative, so hopefully he can come back strong. Ryan Harris is out 6 weeks with the back injury that has been hampering him; with Lepsis day-to-day, our offensive tackle depth is extremely thin, which prompted the movement of tight end Chad Mustard to tackle. If he adjusts well, he could become an invaluable commodity and would increase his chances to make the team.

Meanwhile, Jarvis Moss and Marcus Thomas are fighting through their respective injuries. Moss is looking forward to playing more actively on Saturday, and Thomas is nearing the end of his dealings with his strained calf.

LIVE COWBOYS BLOG FROM PRACTICE

I came across a Cowboys blog that serves up live practice updates – only too little, too late. But reading through the notes is like getting fed big play-by-play coverage from what happened the day before. http://cowboys.beloblog.com/

Yesterday morning, Terrell Owens showed up late but still showed he was able to burn Champ Bailey and Dre Bly on 1-on-1 drills. In another play, Owens slipped past Bailey on a curl route for 6 points. We’ll see how he does come game day when he doesn’t have the advantage (as the WR does in typical 1-on-1 drills).

Meanwhile, new Cowboys acquisition left tackle Leonard “Big” Davis took it to Jarvis Moss on one play, sending Moss crashing to the earth after he had tried to jump and bat down a pass. A few laughs for the Cowboys fans, at the Broncos’ expense – we’ll see who’s laughing come Saturday (I mean, this is Leonard Davis we’re talking about). I mentioned to these fans that this WAS practice, and that is why Moss was upset at the intensity of the hit – but got the expected reaction.

The biggest question coming into this game is our defense – what with the low performance from Monday Night and the news that the Cowboys are able to beat us on the big plays.  Our offense is doing the same to them in practice, but I still want to see Moss burn Davis for a sack and Bailey pick one off in front of T.O. to satiate my tastes.