The loss of linebacker Sean Lee to a toe injury was part of a run of injuries for the Cowboys defense that left them starting players signed off the street by the time the season came to an end.
Lee’s loss was probably the most significant of those injuries as he had been the team’s most effective defender to that point in the season and none of his replacements were able to provide the same kind of performance at inside linebacker. It’s good news for the team, then, that Lee said he’s feeling well enough to play in a game right now if needed.
“The toe is ready to go,” Lee said, via the Dallas Morning News. “I’m pretty much 100 percent. I’ll be going through all the OTAs and it’s getting better and better every week. Other than some soreness after practice, I’m pretty much 100 percent.”
Lee will be moving to middle linebacker in Monte Kiffin’s 4-3 scheme, a scheme he believes is “suited great” to the defensive personnel in Dallas. He also believes Kiffin’s scheme gives the defense a better chance for consistency, something they lacked under Rob Ryan the last couple of years as the Cowboys would alternate decent outings with nightmarish ones on their way to a pair of 8-8 finishes.
Keeping their best linebacker healthy would be another way to boost consistency, although there’s only so much planning you can do for that in the offseason.