Defensive tackle Jay Ratliff didn’t work on the field with the Cowboys during their spring practices because of a torn plantar fascia in his foot, but he believes that he’ll be ready to go when camp opens on July 30.
Ratliff told Josh Ellis of the Cowboys website that he is still rehabbing the injury and Ellis reports that indications from the Cowboys’ medical staff are that Ratliff will be cleared to get back on the field. There’s a chance that Ratliff could start camp on the PUP list, where he would have company from players like offensive lineman Mackenzy Bernardeau, cornerback Mike Jenkins and wide receiver Danny Coale, but he doesn’t sound too concerned about the prospect.
“There’s really no sweat on my brow,” Ratliff said. “My responsibility is just to communicate with my trainers, communicate with the coaches, let everybody know what’s going on, keep everybody aware, and do my job. There’s no complaints, there’s no excuses, there’s no anything ... In spite of the circumstances, I’m going to do my job: Win the fight.”
Ratliff hasn’t missed a game since 2007, but various injuries have limited his amount of snaps and practice time in recent seasons. The Cowboys will likely be doing something similar this season in hopes of keeping Ratliff fresh and healthy enough to play at an optimal level for a defense that needs to be much better than it was a year ago.