IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys' week off looks to have paid dividends for the relative health of their roster, according to owner/general manager Jerry Jones.
As the Cowboys gear up for this weekend's trip to New York, Jones was asked Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan about the availability of several injured players who weren't available during the team's Week 10 game against Jacksonville. Chief among those were Tyrone Crawford and Rolando McClain – both of whom Jones gave the green light this week.
"I think they're good to go. Both will practice, so I feel good about them," he said.
Crawford sat out of the Jaguars game with an MCL injury, while McClain was in uniform but was held out with a knee injury. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said he was happy to get through the 31-17 win without having to use the hobbled linebacker.
The availability of both players gives the Cowboys nearly their full complement of defensive bodies – with the exception of Tyler Patmon. The rookie corner injured both his knee and his ankle in London, and Jones said he is one of the team's only current injury problems.
"We've got Patmon, probably, is our biggest concern," Jones said. "He's probably two-to-four weeks, two weeks from the time of the injury, to four weeks."
The loss of Patmon gives Dallas just three healthy cornerbacks on the active roster in Orlando Scandrick, Brandon Carr and Sterling Moore. The Cowboys may have to activate a defensive back, like Micah Pellerin, off the practice squad – or they could attempt to replace Patmon with Jakar Hamilton, already on the 53-man roster.
On the offensive side of the ball, Jones said the week off should benefit what was already a healthy unit. Doug Free and Ronald Leary returned to the lineup against Jacksonville, and Jones said they should be good to go this week.
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The bye week also benefited the team's top injury priority – Tony Romo's ailing back. Romo bounced back well from breaking two transverse processes in his back, as he threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns last week against the Jaguars. Jones said a week away from football helped him move further in that recovery.
"I think it's really beneficial, and he knows how to use it – and used it," Jones said. "I think by the time we kick off Sunday, he will have maximized this break for himself and for us."
