Bruce Carter Injury: Updates on Cowboys Star's Finger and Return

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 2

The Cowboys confirm Bruce Carter is active for Week 9:

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INACTIVE for #AZvsDAL: Tony Romo, Ronald Leary, Doug Free, Donald Hawkins, Jakar Hamilton, Tim Dobbins, Jack Crawford.

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 2, 2014"

Original Text

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter broke his left ring finger in practice Thursday, though it isn't expected to jeopardize his status for Week 9's game against the Arizona Cardinals.   

ESPNDallas.com's Todd Archer reported the news, which is yet another setback that threatens to derail Dallas' promising start to 2014 on defense.

America's Team can't seem to catch a break in the linebacker corps, as captain Justin Durant was lost for the season after suffering a torn biceps in Week 8's loss to Washington.

Skip Bayless of ESPN lamented Durant's devastating injury:

Archer's report includes what Carter had to say about it, as he might have to fill in for Durant on the weak side:

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I think for everybody, all the linebackers, everybody has to step up.  Everybody's role gets a lot better so we got to really prepare well. Me, Rolando [McClain], all the younger guys we really got to step up because Justin was a huge part of our defense and we’re really going to miss him. But everybody has to step up.

"

The Cowboys are still sitting well at 6-2 at the midway point of the season, but Carter and the rest of Dallas' defenders have to back up his words to keep that momentum going. Hosting a 6-1 Cardinals team promises to present a considerable challenge.

As long as Dallas quarterback Tony Romo is healthy following a scary back contusion suffered in Week 8, he should be able to keep the dynamic Cowboys offense firing on all cylinders.

In the immediate future, Romo will face Arizona's last-ranked pass defense, which should help overcome any issues Dallas has on the other side of the ball.