IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys' secondary has lost its chief communicator, free safety Ken Hamlin, for two-to-four weeks with a high ankle sprain he suffered in Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Packers.
Hamlin had started 41 consecutive games for the Cowboys. Head coach Wade Phillips said Alan Ball, a combo safety/cornerback, or Pat Watkins will replace him in the lineup. Ball has recently taken second-team reps in practice and was slated to start Sunday had Hamlin sat out with a strained groin.
Phillips said rookie safety Mike Hamlin also likely will be active for the first time this year for depth. Hamlin missed the first part of the season with a fractured arm.
First-year starting strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh said he has developed a good rapport with Hamlin, though both are responsible for lining up their side of the secondary.
"You pretty much have to control your half of the field for the most part with some of the coverages we have," Sensabaugh said. "But he does a great job communicating with everybody. We just have to keep that going."
Phillips, however, said he was "pretty confident" starting cornerback Mike Jenkins would play this week despite some swelling in his bruised biceps. Jenkins tried to return in the fourth quarter but left the field again in noticeable pain. He said his arm felt "tender" on Monday.
Buehler Injured
Rookie kickoff specialist/special-teamer David Buehler also injured his right pinky toe while blocking on a punt return. He didn't know the extent of the injury but was walking gingerly on Monday
Buehler's 17 touchbacks have been an important part of the Cowboys' improved kickoff coverage this season.
Elsewhere on the roster, Phillips said starting offensive linemen Flozell Adams and Kyle Kosier each sustained slight ankle sprains but should be OK.
Fewer Runs
The Cowboys had at least 23 carries in each of their first eight games. In Sunday's loss, they had 14 - and only 11 between Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Collectively the trio gained 45 yards, and the team's longest run was a 14-yard scramble by quarterback Tony Romo.
Phillips said negative-yardage plays and the Packers' lead in the fourth quarter contributed some to the lower rush total.
"Well, we'd like to be more balanced, certainly. There's no doubt about that," Phillips said. "The last two drives were all passes because you're behind, and I think that was a big part of it. We got behind by 10 points then all of a sudden, we're behind by 17.
"We had just our timing overall in our passing game and being able to run the football consistently. We ran it well early, then all of a sudden we lose two yards or three yards on a running play, which is unusual for us because we don't lose much yardage usually running the football. That hurt us some."
Spencer Shines
One of the "bright spots" Phillips alluded to Monday was first-year starting outside linebacker Anthony Spencer.
Spencer was credited with 10 tackles, including two for loss, and nearly sacked Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Cowboys' defense had four total sacks.
"He played real well," Phillips said.
Brewster to Reserve PUP
Rookie offensive lineman Robert Brewster (torn pectoral muscle) will move to the Reserve Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which will keep him deactivated for the rest of the season.
The team had very slim hopes Brewster could return at some point this season. He suffered the injury in July, just before training camp, and is continuing his rehab with team trainers and strength and conditioning coach Joe Juraszek.
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Rob Phillips - 
