Bad news. Our number one backup linebacker on the outside, Anthony Spencer, had to have his knee scoped. Just like our number one backup on the inside, Kevin Burnett, did.

Second-year outside linebacker Anthony Spencer underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday morning to remove a chip from his swollen right knee.

Spencer is the second Cowboys linebacker in five days to have a knee scope, as Kevin Burnett had a similar procedure Friday. Spencer should miss 2-4 weeks, Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said.

"It was a clean-out much like Burnett," Phillips said. "There was a particle that just kept catching."

Our linebacking corps is getting thin. And against Denver no one really distinguished themselves behind the starters.

Adam Jones finally moves up to the first team in Terence Newman's absence. 

Coach Wade Phillips said [Adam] Jones will start at left cornerback in Friday's preseason game against Houston.

They were going to make this move at some point anyway - moving Jones ahead of Mike Jenkins. Might as well start with the game that is supposed to be the dress rehearsal. It was good for Jenkins to get all those reps with the 1’s and play against the starters for the opposition but it’s time to get Jones his reps with the starting unit.

Here’s a practice report from tonight’s practice.

Long article on Isaiah Stanabck. He’s going to get a lot more reps over the next couple of weeks, a real chance to show what kind of progress he’s made at the wide receiver position.

"Last year when I came in here I didn't know anything about the position," Stanback recalled before Tuesday's practice at Valley Ranch. A quarterback at Washington his last three years in college, Stanback reviewed himself as a rookie receiver. "I was just one of those try-hard guys learning on the run. I didn't get the attention I wanted and probably needed from my position coach because he had other guys he needed to get ready. This year is a different story. I've had the whole off-season, OTAs, mini-camp, and all those reps have definitely come in handy. They have high expectations for me. I'm still not where I want to be, or need to be, but the reality of the situation is that I've still only been out there for a year. I can't expect too much, but being an athlete and a competitor you have high expectations of yourself."

Asked to rate himself as a receiver:

"I can run. I can run fast. Sometimes it feels like that's about it. I'm pretty strong. I'm strong in the weight room and I'm learning how to use that strength. If you don't know how to use it, it doesn't do you any good. I'm getting better in the running game, stuff like that.

"Route-running is getting better. There are still some routes I definitely need to work with, but I'm improving."