IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys are facing several injury concerns as they head into Week 16, but coach Jason Garrett seemed optimistic about all of them on Monday.
Most notable among the bunch is the duo of defensive starters in Rolando McClain and Morris Claiborne – neither of whom played in Saturday's 19-16 loss to the Jets.
McClain was ruled out of the game with a concussion on Friday afternoon. Garrett said he hasn't yet been cleared to practice, though the Cowboys do have a full week to get him ready for a potential appearance in Buffalo.
"He is not cleared yet to practice but we don't practice until Wednesday," Garrett said. "We are optimistic he is getting better."
Claiborne was listed as doubtful last week, and he was ultimately ruled out in the hours before kickoff with a hamstring injury. Byron Jones started at cornerback in his place, but Garrett added that he's optimistic Claiborne might be able to practice heading into this week.
"We will see," he said. "He's getting better and better. We are optimistic. We will take it day by day."
One injury that seemed so grisly actually turned out to be anything but. Jones appeared to dislocate his knee on Saturday night against New York before popping it back into place on the sideline. After the game, the rookie said it wasn't an issue at all and he felt fine.
Asked about Jones' knee on Monday, Garrett didn't seem to see it as an issue.
"I think he's doing fine," he said. "We'll take his situation day by day. We're optimistic."
