INDIANAPOLIS – Cornerback Morris Claiborne has undergone two surgeries since the end of the season.
Claiborne repaired his shoulder weeks ago after dislocating it early last season and playing through the injury the rest of the year. The corner later had surgery on his finger for an injury that occurred before the season, getting it fused a week ago.
The former top 10 pick isn't expected to miss time in the spring from the surgeries, but the amount of injuries Claiborne's suffered from this early in his career can cause concern. The corner's been hampered by an assortment of injuries since his NFL career began, including knee, wrist, finger, shoulder and hamstring problems at different points the last two years.
It seems every time he takes a step forward, an injury then holds him back.
Claiborne missed time in training camp last season with a sprained knee before dislocating his shoulder in Week 1 against the Giants. After working his way through the shoulder issue while playing with a harness, Claiborne's year was shortened by a hamstring injury that kept him out six games. He was able to return for the season finale against the Eagles. [embedded_ad]
Orlando Scandrick, who began the 2013 season as the nickel cornerback in the slot, eventually took a permanent starting role on the outside opposite Brandon Carr's side. Claiborne took the field in the nickel packages on the outside, bumping Scandrick inside to the slot. The competition for the starting spot on the outside will be one to watch during training camp next year.
Claiborne's totaled two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in his two years (25 games) with the Cowboys since the team moved up to grab the corner in the 2012 NFL Draft.
