Dallas Cowboys: Is There a Silver Lining To Demarcus Ware's Injury?

After the Dallas Cowboys' huge victory over the New Orleans Saints, a lot of the credit deservedly went to defensive end DeMarcus Ware.

Ware had two sacks and two forced fumbles, including the one that sealed the victory for the Cowboys.

In a post game interview , NFL Network's Marshall Faulk said that Ware looked like he had a "little more energy [than in past games]" in the fourth quarter. 

Ware acknowledged that he felt great, and even half-jokingly looked at the camera and lobbied coach Wade Phillips for "more rest".

The reason Ware felt so good in the fourth quarter was that his backup, rookie Victor Butler, played on almost all first and second downs due to the neck injury Ware suffered last week against the Chargers.

The silver (and blue) lining of Ware's injury is that the Cowboys have gained confidence in Butler, and can give Ware plays off so he can be as dominant in the fourth quarter as he is on the first defensive play of the game.

Butler should not play on all first and second downs, but it is exciting to think about a good rotation between Ware, Butler and fellow linebacker Anthony Spencer. Throw in rookie Brandon Williams—who was ahead of Butler on the depth chart before going on injured reserve—and the Cowboys have a solid future at outside linebacker for years to come.