Cowboys vs. Jets: Orlando Scandrick Injury Leaves Cowboys Secondary Shorthanded

Orlando Scandrick may not be a big name to you. However, to the Dallas Cowboys, he may have been the difference between starting the season with a win or a loss.

The Cowboys had already lost cornerback Terence Newman prior to Sunday's game, before Scandrick then went down with a sprained ankle in the second quarter.

If you were watching the game, you saw what happened. The Jets climbed back into the contest, partly based on the poor play of the Dallas secondary. Alan Ball, in particular, played a large role in Plaxico Burress' touchdown that put New York in position to get back into the game after the blocked punt.

Scandrick is now getting X-rays on his ankle and we will have to wait and see how long he'll be out. With the horrific collapse we just witnessed of the Cowboys defense, it doesn't seem like they can afford to have this happen right now. Especially after the way they started their season last year.

Aside from getting Newman back and having to deal with Ball, they also have Bryan McCann on the depth chart. However, even missing one starter at this point is going to really hurt their chances of recovering from Sunday night's blowup.

I would tell you that Dallas fans are holding their breath, waiting to see the results, but they are probably too busy cursing Tony Romo with all of their being. However, trust me when I say that getting Scandrick back may be just as big as having Tony Romo stop playing like Tony Romo.