More Cowboys Injuries: Marcus Spears Could Go On Injured Reserve

by Dave Halprin on Nov 9, 2010 11:00 PM CST

The Dallas Cowboys can't get away from injuries this season. Today, they learned that starting defensive end Marcus Spears will miss at least 4-6 weeks with a torn calf muscle. He could be moved to injured reserve if the Cowboys sign someone to help out, which is in the plans (see below). If that wasn't enough, Sean Lissemore, who they were using as a backup at defensive end, has a high ankle sprain and will miss at least a month. Don't forget, we're already missing defensive end Jason Hatcher who is still trying to recover from a groin injury and is probably a couple more weeks away from playing.

Outside linebacker Anthony Spencer has a shoulder injury, his status is unknown. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is still trying to recover from a high ankle sprain and Montrae Holland is working on his recovery from a groin injury. Luckily, Kyle Kosier returned against the Packers and was able to play the whole game without incident.

And, of course, Tony Romo is still out with the broken collarbone.

The injuries to Spears, Lissemore and Hatcher leave the Cowboys dangerously thin at defensive end. The mothership reports the following:

On Tuesday they were close to signing free agent Jeremy Clark, a 6-3, 295-pound lineman who played four games for the New York Giants in 2008, but hasn't been on a roster this season after being cut out of training camp by Arizona. To clear room for Clark, it appears Spears could be placed on the season-ending injured reserve.

The DMN reports they have actually agreed to terms with Jeremy Clark, but until he signs the contract on Wednesday, they don't have to make a roster move.

Stephen Bowen and Igor Olshansky will be the starters this Sunday.

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Comments

jesus

couldnt we sign somebody better than that? Its good news for Josh Brent who I love and might be a future starter
Spears is done in Dallas, he wont be resigned or should he
he is a JAG, average
besides his comments about the 44-6 game in Philly that he made about a week ago were disgusting
I really liked him up until that point
but he is average just another guy, im more than confident we can find a better player or the same thing
honestly I think Josh Brent is going to be really good

by Archie Barberio on Nov 10, 2010 12:20 AM CST reply actions

Chia what were those comments?

It's only a dream till you write it down, and then it becomes a goal.
-Emmitt Smith

by Rohpuri on Nov 10, 2010 12:27 AM CST up reply actions

Lissemore got injured at the worst time

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sean Lissemore = The next Bruce Smith

by Lissyyyyy on Nov 10, 2010 12:24 AM CST reply actions

Time(s)

It also happened in the preseason. Not calling injury proned yet, but the timing has not been good for him on several occasions. I was very excited about him getting more playing time last week and then think about his involvement with Spears and Hatcher hurt.

That’s two talented rookies we aren’t getitng to see on the field because of high ankle sprains this year (AOA, Lissemore).

"Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable."
"Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control." - Tom Landry

by Kegbearer on Nov 10, 2010 6:48 AM CST up reply actions

When you don't train hard, then try to play hard, this stuff happens a lot.

Camp cupcake – the gift that keeps on giving

The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano

by bking on Nov 10, 2010 9:14 AM CST up reply actions

Sure, why not, because we need enough injuries to devestate another position.

that had to be rectified, of course. Not to mention we don’t get to evaluate those guys this year to see if htye are part of the culture change.

< facepalm>

by mdlusk on Nov 10, 2010 1:09 AM CST reply actions

Man that's rough

So currently, without this random dude off the streets, we only have Ratliff, Olshansky, Bowen, and Brent on the D line available to play Sunday? That’s terrible. Spears on IR with this scrub to take his place on the roster is equally terrible.

I really wonder what Jerry considers “tangible success” with a roster this banged up. If Garrett wins one more game at this point it’s a miracle. Here’s hoping Hatcher and Lissemore heal up quick and the D line doesn’t sustain any more injuries.

Epic Fail since 1985

by the red scare on Nov 10, 2010 4:57 AM CST reply actions

Def Linemen

So we just signed Jeremy Clark who is

a 6-3, 295-pound lineman who played four games for the New York Giants in 2008, but hasn’t been on a roster this season after being cut out of training camp by Arizona.

Am I missing something? How about picking up a guy with some experience? Here is an idea. Broncos management (yeah terrible GM and decisions going on over there) just released Le Kevin Smith tomake room on their roster for a TE..

(6-foot-3, 308 pounds) is a fifth-year player who played in 13 games (2 starts) with the Broncos in 2009 and totaled 10 tackles (9 solo) and a sack (2 yds.) after being acquired as part of a trade with New England prior to the season.

He was orignally drafted by the Pats, so he must have some talent, and the Broncos traded a 5th and a 7th round pick to acquire him. He is a prototypical 3-4 run stuffing DE. At least he has been on a roster and as in football shape. What are we doing? Not saying LKSmith is a great player, but I assume he could do more to help us in the next couple of weeks than some guy who hasn’t been on the field all year.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get uglier for this defense…

by Kegbearer on Nov 10, 2010 6:42 AM CST reply actions

I'm going to go out on a limb

And suggest this was PPs decision. He is a dl guy and probably sees more upside

Troll Hunter

Current Kills: 2

by NYHorn on Nov 10, 2010 7:46 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Might we see

more of Ratliff at DE in this situation??

by IronCowboy on Nov 10, 2010 7:58 AM CST reply actions

yes...maybe Ware plays DE as well

Butler can be moved OLB in Ware’s spot

by thejanusman on Nov 10, 2010 8:14 AM CST up reply actions

Ware would be DE in a 4-3

maybe we should switch to a 4-3.

Rotate Ware / Spencer/ Butler / and activate Brandon Williams and keep them fresh by rotating them.

at DT Ratliff/ Olshansky / Bowen / Brent / and rotate them.

LB`s in the 4-3 Brooking/ James / Lee maybe activate Leon and put Church and McCray in at LB on passing downs.

by ziggy19 on Nov 10, 2010 8:24 AM CST up reply actions

Not a bad idea

If you have training camp and a full offseason to design plays and teach the new scheme.

by Kegbearer on Nov 10, 2010 10:51 AM CST up reply actions

AOA and Spears on IR

The two are placed on IR to make room for two DEs. The aforementioned Clark, and the return of training camp fodder Saddler-McQueen (but at least he know our system…or the old one).

While I am a little upset that we won’t get to see AOA later this season and get him some more reps at safety, it really makes me wonder about Romo. Something tells me JG will happily start Romo the last couple of games (when he is healthy) to help out his audition for the full time HC job. I don’t often agree with Nick Eatman, but he discusses this very same thing…now compnounded by the fact that Tony wasn’t one of the players to go on IR.

by Kegbearer on Nov 10, 2010 10:56 AM CST reply actions

That concerns me too

But it’s probably more a matter of the expectation that Kitna wil go down at some point, and Romo will be pressed into service those last couple of weeks.

The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano

by bking on Nov 10, 2010 11:10 AM CST up reply actions

I hope Romo does play the last 3 or 4 games

and we can end the season strong. This crap about getting a higher draft pick makes no sense because no matter what we’re guaranteed a top 10 pick and thats plenty high enough to get a really good player.

And those who are afraid he’ll get hurt again, I say so what….he’d have all off season to heal up.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Nov 10, 2010 2:37 PM CST up reply actions