The official probable/questionable/doubtful/out injury report won’t be announced until Friday, but early indications aren’t promising when it comes to the availability of Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman.
Tim McMahon of ESPNDallas.com (and a PFT alumnus) reports that Newman is unlikely to play.
Newman injured a groin on August 4, and he has not practiced or played since then.
Earlier this week, coach Jason Garrett tied Newman’s ability to play to his ability to practice.
“The degree to which he has to practice, we don’t have any concrete rules about, but you have to practice,” Garrett said. “We have to have a great feeling about him having prepared on the practice field before playing in the game Sunday night.”
With or without Newman, the Cowboys will be facing receivers Santonio Holmes, Derrick Mason and Plaxico Burress. If Newman can’t play, Orlando Scandrick likely will join Mike Jenkins in the starting lineup. Scandrick recently signed a five-year, $27 million contract extension, which possibly makes him the heir apparent to Newman. Alan Ball would take over Scandrick’s role in the nickel defense.