Orlando Scandrick Injury: Updates on Cowboys CB's Recovery from Torn ACL

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick tore his ACL and MCL in practice on Aug. 25 and will undergo surgery on Thursday or Friday, ending his season.

Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News noted Scandrick went to the ground during practice after colliding with wide receiver Lucky Whitehead. Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com said he couldn’t tell if the cornerback was "hurt in the collision" or when he "planted."

Continue for updates.

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Cowboys Will Not Explore Replacement in Wake of Scandrick Injury

Wednesday, Aug. 26

Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted Dallas has "no plans" to bring in depth through free agency, adding the Cowboys will "roll with what they have at this point."

"I'll be back, and I'll be better than ever," Scandrick said following the injury, per Werder.

WFAA TV in Dallas provided video of the injury: 

The cornerback was carted off the field, and Machota passed along a look at the scene:

Dan Turner of DallasCowboys.com pointed out Scandrick was “extremely emotional” in the aftermath and had his shirt over his face as he left. He wasn’t the only emotional one, as Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted:

Scandrick told his teammates and coaches his ACL "was gone," according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. "I'm at a loss for words. I heard it in his voice. I've been there. I know that feeling," said Morris Claiborne to Machota. 

Scandrick has spent his entire career with the Cowboys and tallied two picks and nine passes defended in 2014, per ESPN.com. He also made Pro Football Focus’ second-team All-Pro after what was arguably the best campaign of his career.

The former Boise State Bronco brings talent and a veteran presence to the Dallas secondary and is set to enter his eighth season in the league. This is a significant loss.

Brandon Carr is a proven commodity on one end of the field, but cornerbacks Morris Claiborne (25 years old) and rookie Byron Jones (22 years old) could have used a veteran leader like Scandrick on the field. Jones was a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft, but he's not necessarily ready to be thrown into the fire from Week 1.

What’s more, Claiborne missed the majority of the 2014 season with a ruptured patellar tendon, and Jones missed the stretch run of his final collegiate season at Connecticut with shoulder surgery, so there were already health concerns among Dallas cornerbacks entering the season. 

Dallas finished a disappointing 26th against the pass last season, and the secondary was one of the primary weaknesses on an otherwise strong team, even with Scandrick.

The Cowboys figure to have a dangerous offense once again with Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and a loaded offensive line, but it is difficult to envision them living up to their Super Bowl aspirations if the secondary struggles again.

That could be a reality with Scandrick's season-ending injury.