OXNARD, Calif. – The first week of camp has been relatively quiet among the players actually here in California, but a trio of Pro Bowl players on both sides of the ball have been sidelined here recently.
All-Pro guard Zack Martin, arguably the team's most consistent player, has been slowed by a back injury that required an MRI., which showed some irritation to a disc.
Martin said Saturday he's hoping for a "sooner than later" return to the field.
"We'll give it some time to clam down a little bit," Martin said. "Our training staff obviously has a lot of experience with those type injuries, so they have a plan in place and I'm just following what they're telling me to do."
Amari Cooper was held out of Saturday's practice after sustaining a minor heel injury.
Jason Garrett was hesitant to rule him out of the Blue-White Scrimmage on Sunday afternoon.
"We'll just see. He might practice today," Garrett said Sunday. "He was moving around fine out there in the walkthrough so we'll just see as the day progresses. If he doesn't practice today, we're off tomorrow and then hopefully we can get him back out there on Tuesday."
Veteran linebacker Sean Lee suffered a minor MCL sprain to his right knee earlier in the week.
Lee isn't sure when he'll return to the practice field, but he at least feels good about his recovery process.
"I'm going to listen to the trainers on that one. But I know I'm progressing and feeling good about it," he said Sunday.
Lee said he was feeling good through the first few days of practice, but someone rolled up on his knee during a practice period last week.
"That's how it happens sometimes," he said.
With so much time until the season starts, the Cowboys will undoubtedly be cautious with Lee. Given his history with injuries, there's no doubt it's frustrating to be sidelined again, but he said he won't let that hamper his progress.
"It's obviously frustrating, but I've gotten to the point where I'm mature enough to look ahead and not let the frustration mess with my preparation," he said.
