IRVING, Texas– The season didn't end the way the Cowboys would've hoped, and for one player the offseason is already off to a rough start.
Right guard Kyle Kosier is believed to have suffered a torn MCL midway through the third quarter of Sunday's loss to New York. He will not require surgery to repair the knee. The injury should not affect his participation in the team's offseason program, and his availability for the start of training camp in July is not in question, either.
A Grade 3 MCL tear can take roughly two months to heal.
Against the Giants, Kosier was replaced by rookie undrafted free agent Kevin Kowalski, whose first play was the Cowboys' first touchdown, a 34-yard pass from Tony Romo to Laurent Robinson. Kosier was injured on the previous play, a three-yard Sammy Morris run.
The Cowboys were already without their top left guard, Montrae Holland, who tore his biceps against Philadelphia in Week 16. Veteran Derrick Dockery filled in on the left side.
Kosier had been the Cowboys' starting left guard for his first five seasons with the team, but moved to the right side this year to ease communication for rookie first-round tackle Tyron Smith. He started every game this season, but was bothered by plantar fasciitis in his foot for most of the year, sitting out Wednesday practice each week to rest.
Now 33, Kosier has dealt with his share of pain before. He missed three games in 2010 with knee and ankle injuries, and in 2008 was placed on the injured reserve following only three appearances due to a broken foot.
Kosier signed a new three-year contract with the Cowboys last summer, following a brief time as an unrestricted free agent. The deal expires after the 2013 season.
