IRVING, Texas – Two of the Cowboys' best players, and most vocal leaders, will likely be game-time decisions when the club takes on New York next Wednesday in the Meadowlands.
Not much has changed on the status of tight end Jason Witten, whose lacerated spleen injury is healing, but maybe not to the point the Cowboys feel comfortable playing him against the Giants.
"Ultimately it's a medical decision and we're going to go off what the doctor says," Garrett said. "I'm going to follow it as the head coach of the team. Jason's going to follow it as a player on the team. He certainly has a say in it. He's a unique guy. There are a handful of those guys around the league. They tend to come back from injuries quicker than everybody else, but ultimately this is a medical decision and we'll follow the doctor's lead."
As for defensive tackle Jay Ratliff, his high-ankle sprain will also be an injury that likely won't be settled until a few hours before kickoff Wednesday night.
Ratliff did take a few practice reps in Monday's walkthrough at Valley Ranch. He was on crutches Tuesday for the annual kickoff luncheon.
"We're certainly hopeful he'll progress day by day," head coach Jason Garrett said. "He has an ankle injury that's he's trying to come back from. He's certainly a very tough guy, very passionate guy and he loves to play football, so he's going to do everything he can to get himself ready. We'll just take his situation day-by-day."
If Ratliff doesn't play, the Cowboys will likely get Josh Brent ready to start, but Sean Lissemore could get a few snaps in the middle, too.
In other injury news:
- Jason Garrett said he expects both starting receivers Miles Austin and Dez Bryant to practice Saturday. Austin has been out nearly a month with a hamstring injury and Bryant has been held out of action after an MRI revealed tendinitis in his knee two weeks ago.
- Safety Danny McCray (neck/stinger) could also be a game-time decision to play Wednesday night against the Giants. McCray has led the Cowboys in special teams tackles each of the last two years.
- Wide receiver Andre Holmes may not be able to practice in full this weekend because of a minor knee injury. He is expected to make the team, but being active for the first game is now questionable.
