IRVING, Texas --Just as the Cowboys feared earlier Monday, starting guard Montrae Holland's biceps injury has landed him on season-ending injured reserve.
The team is filling Holland's roster spot with guard Daniel Loper, who was waived last Friday to make room for running back Chauncey Washington.
Rookie Kevin Kowalski replaced Holland in the fourth quarter Christmas Eve against the Eagles, but veteran Derrick Dockery appears to be the likely starter at left guard in Sunday's NFC East title game against the Giants.
Surgery is now an option for Holland. He entered training camp as a projected starter but was waived at final cuts due in part to back and hamstring injuries. He lost 10 pounds training on his own and was re-signed after Week 6 to replace an injured Dockery and rookie Bill Nagy.
Now this latest setback.
"It's pretty bad," Holland said Monday. "I want to be there for my teammates. Not being able to finish is something that I didn't want to happen. I just want to be there for my teammates."
