Sean Lee Injury: Dallas Cowboys Linebacker Fitted for Cast, Doubtful to Play

Sean Lee desperately wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.  Lee dislocated his left wrist on Sunday while trying to tackle Michael Vick on the last play of the first quarter.  He missed the rest of the game due to the injury.

Currently, the prognosis is that Lee is doubtful to play against the Seahawks.  Having Lee on the sidelines against the Seahawks would be unfortunate for the Cowboys defense.

Who wants to see Keith Brooking starting?

Early in the week, Lee was upbeat.  Lee planned to play with a cast on his arm against the Seahawks. 

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Talking to the Dallas Morning News, Lee said, "There is still a lot we have to see going forward.  I don't know for sure what the plan is, but I'm going to work with the doctors and see how it heals and go forward."

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Lee has kept up his optimism.  On Wednesday, Lee continued to set his eyes towards playing.

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"I'm going to exhaust every opportunity to play as soon as possible.  Obviously, I want to play.  I'm here to play football, and I'll do whatever it takes to play.  At the same point, I have to listen to the doctors on what I'm able to do and whether it is going to be functional," Lee told ESPNDallas.com on Wednesday.

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Seemingly, Lee could carry himself on his determination.  However, as he said, he must listen to the doctors.  Progress came slowly early in the week.  Lee's wrist writhed with inflammation through Wednesday, preventing him from being fitted for a cast.  With the inflammation, Lee was unable to practice with the Cowboys on Wednesday.

If Lee could have it his way, he would probably push the doctors to clear him early in the week.  Nevertheless, Lee had to wait.  On Thursday, doctors finally fit Lee for a cast.  Even after being fitted for the cast, Lee couldn't jump onto the practice field with his Cowboys teammates.

Jason Garrett understands the impact Lee's absence would have on the Cowboys defense.  On Thursday, Garrett spoke in a positive light about Lee's condition.

"Typically what happens is that there are a lot of different iterations on that thing.  What is comfortable?  What feels good?  And you kind of keep working through those kinds of things," Garrett said.

Certainly, Garrett hopes Lee works through his wrist injury.  Lee is a crucial cog in the Cowboys defense.  Leading the team in tackles (51), interceptions (3) and forced fumbles (2), Lee is the second best player on defense behind DeMarcus Ware.

Losing Lee against the Seahawks would mean starting Keith Brooking.  Brooking doesn't facilitate the run defense the way Lee does, nor does he cover passes as well as Lee does.

While the Cowboys could survive without Lee, his absence would be felt.