IRVING, Texas – On Sunday, the Cowboys used their defense to find the end zone, not once but twice in a much-needed win over the Eagles.
But on Monday, they learned that another defensive starter is likely out for the season.
Defensive end Kenyon Coleman has a torn triceps injury that will probably require season-ending surgery. The 10-year veteran suffered the injury in the second quarter on Sunday against the Eagles and he did not return.
The Cowboys used a combination of both veteran Marcus Spears and rookie Tyrone Crawford in Coleman's absence. The Cowboys are also hopeful third-year pro Sean Lissemore is getting close to returning from a high-ankle sprain he suffered in Baltimore on Oct. 14, causing him to miss all but one play against the Ravens, followed by four more games.
Before Sunday's game with the Eagles, Coleman ranked 11th on the defense with 21 tackles and he was credited with one tackle on the stat sheet before his injury.
If Coleman is indeed out for the season, he would become the third defensive starter to go to IR, along with Barry Church (torn Achilles) and Sean Lee (torn ligaments in toe).
The injury also wipes out a reunion game for Coleman, who played two seasons with the Browns from 2009-10 when Rob Ryan was defensive coordinator in Cleveland. Coleman signed with the Cowboys for the second time before the 2011 season to reunite with Ryan.
Coleman played for the Cowboys from 2003-06, but was more of a role player, starting only five games in those four seasons when Bill Parcells was the head coach. He went to the Jets in 2007 and started 71 games in five seasons, along with five starts this season.
