Dallas Cowboys Offensive Line Suffers Another Critical Injury

The Cowboys already have significant injuries on their offensive line. Marc Colombo is out until the first game of the season and Alex Barron is questionable for this week's preseason game against the Chargers. However, this morning they suffered another injury as Kyle Kosier left practice with a knee injury. 

The Cowboys have said the early indication is a sprained right MCL, which could keep Kosier out 4-6 weeks. Kosier, the Cowboys starting left guard, was seen snapping to Tony Romo before practice as he was also penciled in as the backup center. Now Montrae Holland, who has started 48 games in his career but none last season, is expected to take his place. 

The Cowboys were a very healthy team last season as the only injuries the offensive line suffered was Marc Colombo's broken leg and Flozell Adams' injury in the Cowboys playoff loss to the Vikings. Ken Hamlin was the only player to miss more than three games. 

Now the Cowboys have twelve players on the injury list, and while they have three games left before the season starts and the majority of the injuries aren't serious, they could be without their first round pick (Dez Bryant), starting defensive end (Marcus Spears) and two of their best lineman in the season debut against the Redskins.

Meanwhile Head Coach Wade Phillips said today that Barron (Ankle) could play this weekend against the Chargers. "He may even play this week. He's getting real close. He did a lot today. I was really pleased, and our athletic trainers were pleased with where he is. And again, we're going to be cautious, we're not going to take any chances, but he was smiling out there this morning."

Some good news includes Wade Phillips saying that Tuesday's practice was the team's best so far, "We picked up the tempo since we've been here and that continued. I thought it was a really good practice, we were really into it."

Wide Receiver Kevin Ogletree, who has had a shaky camp, was returning punts along with Akwasi Owusu-Ansah today and they're expected to split the duties during the game Saturday.

Linebacker Keith Brooking (precautionary rest) and Martellus Bennett (Ankle) were held out of the morning practice on Wednesday, but both participated in the afternoon session.

Safety Pat Watkins returned to individual drills on Tuesday after sitting out for three weeks with a bruised knee. He has not been ruled out of Saturday's game, but it's unlikely that he'll play until he participates in a full practice. 

Linebacker Victor Butler has also returned to practice after missing the past few sessions due to a sprained neck. Butler has impressed the Cowboys coaches during camp with his improved pass rushing and cover skills in the open field.