Cowboys Injury Report and Other News

Although the Cowboys were pushed around on Saturday night, there was good news as the Cowboys didn't sustain any new injuries for the first time this preseason. So here's an update on the guys who didn't play in Saturday's blowout. 

Linebacker Keith Brooking didn't dress for Saturday's game and is still ruled out for Thursday's game against the Dolphins with a minor shoulder sprain. The Cowboys are keeping him out as a precaution and to get Sean Lee some reps. Brooking will return to practice this week and is expected to start in the Cowboys season opener against the Redskins.

Wide Receiver Dez Bryant was seen running full speed routes before Saturday's game against the Texans and has tweeted that he will play on Thursday, although that has yet to be determined by the Cowboys coaching staff he will practice this week. 

Safety Gerald Sensabaugh will return to practice this week but hasn't been cleared for full contact just yet. Sensabaugh has said that his shoulder separation is healing faster than expected and has not ruled himself out of Week 1 against the Redskins. 

Defensive tackle Marcus Spears has not begun practicing yet but is working in individual drills and said last week that he wants to get in on a few plays in Thursday's game in order to ready himself for Week 1. 

Lineman Kyle Kosier and Marc Colombo are still nursing their injuries and it's not likely that they will be ready be Week 1. Montrae Holland and Alex Barron started in their places. 

In other news the Cowboys have informed safety Pat Watkins that he will be released either today or Tuesday. Watkins, a fifth year safety out of Florida State, had a ton of promise when Bill Parcells drafted him, even starting at the beginning of the 2006 season, but by the end of the season he was demoted to special teams where he's been a star. 

However with the emergence of Michael Hamlin and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah as well as Barry Church who's making a late push to make the team the Cowboys didn't see the point in paying Watkins $1 million+ salary.

The Cowboys also have settled with two employees that were seriously injured when the team's practice facility collapsed during a rookie minicamp last season. Scout Rich Beam and special teams coach Joe DeCamillas received about $5 million each.

Rich and DeCamillas previously settled with Summit Structures of Allentown, PA. Beam received $19.5 million and DeCamillas received $4.5 million.