Bruce Carter, DeMarco Murray Agree To Deals; Neither Ready To Play

by KD Drummond on Jul 29, 2011 12:00 AM CDT in Dallas Cowboys News

Bruce Carter's got himself some change. Now he just needs a knee healthy enough to earn it.

The Cowboys have reached a deal with second round pick, linebacker Bruce Carter. The deal is for four years, with terms yet to be disclosed. The UNC standout is not expected to participate in practice, as Cowboys VP Stephen Jones hinted he may end up starting the season on the non-football injury list. Carter is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered late in the collegiate season.

The Cowboys turned right around and reached an agreement with their third round pick, RB DeMarco Murray. Both players are expected at tomorrow morning's walk through. Unknown to most, Murray injured his hamstring working out over the summer, and is expected to miss 1-2 weeks. It's not a serious injury, but that means he doesn't hit the practice field until the preseason is in full swing.

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It is now official, all eight rookies have now been signed. Four practiced today as reported by SportsDayDFW:

Fourth-round pick David Arkin and sixth-round pick Dwayne Harris were participating at Thursday afternoon's practice, meaning that the Cowboys have signed both rookies.

Earlier in the day, first-round pick Tyron Smith, a tackle, and fullback Shaun Chapas, who was selected in the seventh round, signed with the Cowboys. They also took part in practice Thursday afternoon.

Bill Nagy and Josh Thomas have also signed.

Earlier in the offseason, I opined Carter might not see 85 defensive snaps during the 2011 season. Even before Jones' remarks today, reports hinted that it will be some time before Carter sees any significant playing time on defense. Archer even hints that his return could take longer than last year's second round pick Sean Lee. The positive of the signing, for now, is that Carter's rehab now takes place under the supervision of strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik, Mr. Six Blings.

If Lee maintains full health, the Cowboys appear able to bring Carter along slowly. The team has committed to giving equal shares of snaps to Lee, Bradie James and Keith Brooking. Kenwin Cummings and Leon Williams would appear to be the leading candidates for the fourth inside linebacker coming out of camp.

Murray's absence means that Lonyae Miller and Phillip Tanner will get plenty of reps, as they get pushed up the depth charts. These are the opportunities that turn into careers for undrafted free agent types. Running back is the easiest position for an unheralded player to make a quick impact, although Jason Garrett's passing scheme prioritizes blocking by backs.

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Comments

Bruce Carter is a stud

and has a bright future

by rscott94 on Jul 29, 2011 12:09 AM CDT reply actions

One would only hope so

Ballhawking Safety - Will I never see you in a Cowboys uniform? Stop tormenting me.

by SportsDrunk on Jul 29, 2011 12:40 AM CDT up reply actions

I hope Dallas can now finally focus on filling the rest of its holes.

Go out and seek help at G, DE, and S, and I will be a happy man.

Look me in the eye. It's okay if you're scared. So am I. But we are scared for different reasons. I'm scared of what I won't become. And you're scared of what I could become. Look at me. I won't let myself end where I started. I won't let myself finish where I began. I know what is within me, even if you can't see it yet. Look me in the eyes. I have something more important than courage. I have patience. I will become what I know I am.

by Creasy729 on Jul 29, 2011 12:29 AM CDT reply actions

Davin Joseph re-signed

Hoping for one of the Falcons (Dahl or Blalock) now. Hopefully Blalock because he is younger and not too far behind Dahl. Just entering his prime at 27.

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." –Vince Lombardi

by ProBowlFactory on Jul 29, 2011 4:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Which injury list - NFI or PUP?

With NFI (non-football injury), a player is out for a minimum of six games, if I understand the rules.

I hope that they are only on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. That allows them to immediately resume action, when cleared by the medical staff.

I thought I read on the mothership that at least one of them was listed on the NFI.

Carter was injured last year playing college football. Murray was allegedly injured during a workout.

Cowboys, Longhorns, and Spurs - all undefeated in 2011-12.

by hookerhome on Jul 29, 2011 12:30 AM CDT reply actions

Both are for roster exemptions, I believe

But I think the 6 game suspension is only if it happens during the regular season.

Basically, putting a player on NFI during the season empties a roster spot for a replacement…so the team has to decide to let the player sit for 6 weeks on what may be a small injury, but have an open roster spot for a replacement, or simply deactivate the player while keeping him on the 53 man roster.

I believe PUP is from offseason until healthy…somewhat the opposite of IR.

by CotySaxman on Jul 29, 2011 12:39 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

PUP

1. All PUP players are ineligible to play or practice for the first six weeks (not games) of the season.

2. After Week 6, a three-week window opens during which the players can return to practice (while not counting against the 53-man roster). In order to play this season, a PUP player must start practicing during that window. So the earliest a player could begin practicing is Oct. 18 and the latest is Nov. 1. (Exact dates subject to specific year)

3. Once the player starts practicing, a second three-week window opens. At some point during that window, the player must be activated to the 53-man roster or be ineligible to play for the rest of the year. So the earliest a PUP player could be eligible to play is Week 7. The latest is Week 13.

Generally speaking, it’s probably a safe bet to expect PUP players to return on the earlier side of that timetable or not at all. It’s not often that you see a player miss all of training camp, then almost two-thirds of the regular season, and then re-join a team for the stretch run. So it doesn’t look good for Bruce Carter to contribute at all this season, considering he has never played in a 3-4 as an ILB. He is already behind, and unlikely to catch up. Chalk this season up to learning and conditioning.

Murray is a different story. Unless he suffers another injury before TC starts (then he could go on the PUP also), he should be ready to go week one. But still, a crappy way to start off for a guy with the label of injury-prone already stamped on his forehead.

Doug "Fresh " Free, Cowboys' newest millionaire.

by APerfectStar on Jul 29, 2011 2:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Dagnabbit!

Was wrong about Carter…

I smell something... It smells like... hope. And BBQ.

by BlueNSilverBlood on Jul 29, 2011 12:36 AM CDT reply actions

Just don't have a red shirt first year

Sucks how much it’s happened with our rookies the last few years.

Ballhawking Safety - Will I never see you in a Cowboys uniform? Stop tormenting me.

by SportsDrunk on Jul 29, 2011 12:42 AM CDT reply actions

can they just sign nmandi and whoever else they can and get it over with

he’s a RR guy. and his presence sure as hell covers up a lot holes in the defense to where the team doesnt need a borderline pro-bowler at every position

The realist keepin it real amongst the surrealists

R.I.P. Big Homey Nate Dogg: "Cuz Iiiiiiiiii have ne-evv-ver met a giiiiiiiiiirrrrrrllllllllllllllllllll tha-at I loved in the whole wide wooorrrlllllddddddd"

by starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 on Jul 29, 2011 12:54 AM CDT reply actions

note to self

stop signing cripples with potential…rant over

by 0k on Jul 29, 2011 12:58 AM CDT reply actions

Jerry at his finest

Spending a high 2nd rounder on a guy with a long road ahead of him to regain form is well….Jerry. Suspect at best. Gotta hope his checkbook will pay off eventually I guess.

by intheclutch on Jul 29, 2011 1:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I'll take it

a guy with a top-15 grade in the second round. I’ll take that any day. Even if we have to wait a whole season to use him.

by ProBowlFactory on Jul 29, 2011 4:42 AM CDT up reply actions

A speed player with a leg so blown out he still can't practice 9 months later

Exactly how much speed is he going to have once healed?

God I hate both these picks.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are your Sugar Bowl champions... and for the 7th year in a row Michigan still sucks.

by Blue Eyed Devil on Jul 29, 2011 7:00 AM CDT up reply actions

How many pro athletes do not fully recover from acl injuries?

That number has to be very low.

by death of the cool on Jul 29, 2011 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Pretty uneventful day for us...

Hopefully tomorrow we’ll sign some FA… a FS and a G would be nice.

by CaliCowboysFan92 on Jul 29, 2011 1:48 AM CDT reply actions

a delayed start is the price of getting him at a spot well below his talent level

it’s a calculation in the draft. at some point the potential of his talent is worth it despite the expected delay from his injury. plenty of guys recover fully from ACL, but we have to wait to use him, and we shouldn’t be surprised by it.

They made the same calculation with Lee last year, and it started to pay off toward the end of the season, and now he should be ready to give us regular production.

Now, In Woicik we trust!

"When you want to win a game, you have to teach. When you lose a game, you have to learn."—Tom Landry

by scottmaui on Jul 29, 2011 2:07 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs