IRVING, Texas - Eight games into the 2008 season, injuries had already taken their toll on the Cowboys, with players such as Tony Romo, Felix Jones, Terence Newman and Kyle Kosier all missing considerable playing time.
So far, at the halfway point of this season, the Cowboys have been relatively healthy. In fact, for the last two games only kick returner Allen Rossum (hamstring) hasn't suited up because of injury.
But as Rossum continued his rehab work on Wednesday, he had some company during practice. Safety Ken Hamlin and center Andre Gurode did not practice, held back for precautionary reasons.
Hamlin suffered a strained left groin in the second quarter against the Eagles and went to the locker room for a brief moment before returning and finishing the entire game.
Gurode missed an offensive series with a sprained ankle but returned for the rest of the Philly game.
Head coach Wade Phillips said if the game were played on Wednesday, that both Gurode and Hamlin probably would not be ready to play.
Both players were in uniform and appeared dressed for practice on Wednesday. Just after stretching, Hamlin went over to work with the strength coaches, as did Gurode later in practice.
If Hamlin doesn't play this week, it's likely Alan Ball could start, but rookie safety Mike Hamlin would probably make his NFL debut. The fifth-round pick from Clemson has been inactive all season, mostly because of a fractured wrist he suffered in preseason.
Without Gurode, the Cowboys would go with either Cory Procter, or possibly Duke Preston, who has been inactive all season. Phillips said Procter and Preston took snaps on Wednesday.
180-Degree Switch
Being in the NFL for 13 seasons now, linebacker Keith Brooking probably feels like he's seen it all.
But heading to Philly and then Green Bay this week, the veteran Brooking says the Cowboys will see both ends of the spectrum in terms of the opposing fans.
"It's a really neat atmosphere," Brooking said of Lambeau Field. "It's kind of opposite fans to what we just played. Somewhat civil."
Brooking spent his first 12 NFL seasons with the Falcons, who gave the Packers their only playoff home loss back in the 2002 season.
"I remember it was 2002 when we beat them in the playoffs, pretty convincingly when Mike (Vick) was in Atlanta with me. After the game, their fans are giving us a thumbs up and saying 'Great game guys. Way to go.' And they handed us a bratwurst or something. I was like, wow. But it's a great atmosphere. Lots of tradition. It will be fun."
On the contrary, after the Cowboys defeated Philly last week, most of the rowdy Eagles fans chanted things such as "win a playoff game."
Comfortable Cast
Safety Gerald Sensabaugh has played the last three games with a protective cast, protecting his broken left thumb. And although it's been somewhat hindering, Sensabaugh isn't in a big hurry to remove it.
"Well, I wouldn't mind (losing it), but I know if I break it again, I'll be out the rest of the season," said Sensabaugh, who had surgery back on Oct. 5 with a plate inserted to protect the injury. "The only thing is catching the ball. But I've been catching it pretty good here lately. So whenever we take it off is fine, but I'm not in a big hurry or anything."
Sensabaugh recorded a first-quarter interception Sunday against the Eagles, his first with the Cowboys.
Kick Return Change?
Wade Phillips said Wednesday the Cowboys are thinking about replacing Felix Jones as the primary kick return specialist. Both Kevin Ogletree and Tashard Choice will get some reps in practice this week.
Jones is averaging a team-low 20.9 yards per return with his longest return only 38 yards this season.
The Cowboys were hoping veteran Allen Rossum would ignite the kickoff-return position but his hamstring injury on the first return against Atlanta has kept him out of three games now and he's not expected to play Sunday in Green Bay.
Cowboys-Packers Classics
NFL Network plans to get fans, especially Cowboys fans, ready for Sunday's game in Green Bay, by showing a pair of memorable contests from the 1990s. Both games will air on the show "NFL Classic Games."
On Friday at 1 p.m. (CDT), the network will show the 1995 NFC Championship Game, where the Cowboys outlast the Packers 38-27 behind three touchdowns from Emmitt Smith.
Saturday at 2 p.m., NFL Network will show the 1994 Thanksgiving game at Texas Stadium, where Jason Garrett led the Cowboys to 36 second-half points en route to a 42-31 win over Brett Favre and the Packers.
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