When cornerback Morris Claiborne was diagnosed with a sprained MCL last week, the Cowboys suggested it would be at least a week before he was back on the practice field.
Claiborne is a little bit ahead of that schedule. Claiborne took part in the team’s jog-through on Thursday morning, the first time he’s been on the field since suffering the injury. The team has a padded practice on Thursday afternoon and Claiborne anticipates making his full return during that session or on Friday.
Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Claiborne’s status for Monday’s preseason opener hasn’t been determined yet. Claiborne sounds like he’s anticipating a debut in the August 18 game against the Chargers, though.
“I plan on playing in the pre-season,” Claiborne said. “I don’t know if it will be this first one, but I look forward to the second one. I’m just doing what the training staff wants me to do right now. It looks like I won’t be playing Monday but I’m looking forward to the next.”
You could say that the lack of clarity about Mike Jenkins’ status makes Claiborne’s health even more important, but the Cowboys have wanted Claiborne to start for them in Week One since the moment they drafted him. Assuming no further setbacks, Claiborne’s got plenty of practice time left to make that happen.