Tyrone Crawford's injury not as bad as feared; could be back for season opener

Cowboys starting right defensive end Tyrone Crawford was carted off the practice field with what initially looked like a severe ankle injury. Since then, multiple sources have reported that the early diagnosis is a lateral right ankle sprain, and not a bone fracture.

A subsequent X-ray confirmed there was no structural damage, per Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram:

The Cowboys received good news after Crawford underwent X-rays at a nearby hospital. Crawford was diagnosed with a lateral ankle sprain, a source said, and is expected to be ready by the Dallas Cowboys’ regular-season opener on Sept. 10 against the New York Giants.

The Cowboys are already thin at pass rusher, as David Irving and Damontre Moore will sit out the early part of the season due to suspensions, and could ill afford another lengthy injury to one of their key players.

The Cowboys look to have dodged a bullet, and instead of wondering how many games Crawford will miss, Cowboys fans can now begin to speculate how soon Crawford could be back.

Importantly, the injury is to Crawford's right foot, and not the left foot on which he tore his Achilles a few year ago.

Crawford had been having a very good camp and was the acknowledged leader of the defensive line.

So far in camp, Crawford had been one of the best defensive players.

“Yeah, are you kidding me?” Stephen Jones said when asked how Crawford has been playing here in Oxnard. “He’s one of the leaders on this team, leader of the defensive line group. Certainly a huge part of this team.”