The risk in signing free agents over the age of 30 was made clear Thursday when new Cowboys guard Marco Rivera underwent surgery in Dallas. Rivera will need four to six weeks to recover from a procedure to repair a herniated disc in his back. He is not expected to miss any training camp.
The surgery had to come as a surprise to the organization, which gave Rivera a $9 million signing bonus last week.
Update: Rivera spoke to his old line coach the day after his surgery and said he initially thought he had been "shot in the hamstring." Packers line coach Larry Beightol said Rivera is resting comfortably and feels "great, except for the incision."
Cowboys fans certainly hope the good feelings persist.