[Underdog]

In lieu of any significant Mavs news:

Knee braces not an option for Cowboys

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OXNARD, Calif. -- An interesting question this week addresses the Cowboys' offensive line and how they've dealt with injuries to starters Marc Colombo and Kyle Kosier.

In an attempt to prevent further injuries, head coach Wade Phillips has decided to make it mandatory for all the linemen -- on offense and defense -- to use knee braces.

By no means does this guarantee that a player can't get injured, but wearing a brace does stabilize the knee and minimizes the possibility of injuries occurring.

Colombo was wearing a knee brace when he heard something pop in his knee, which was some loose cartilage that has since been removed. Colombo told Jerry Jones a few days ago that his knee feels great, and Jones said the lineman's long-term health shouldn't be an issue.

Kosier, who doesn't wear a knee brace, injured his knee. Marcus Spears, who wears one at times, didn't have one on when he injured his knee in San Antonio.

So there is no clear-cut way to say whether a knee brace helps or not.

Several of the Cowboys' offensive and defensive linemen have had knee issues in the past, whether in college or the pros.

When Bill Parcells was the Cowboys' coach from 2003-06, it was mandatory for linemen to wear knee braces. Currently, the Dolphins -- where Parcells is vice president of football operations -- have made it mandatory for linemen to wear knee braces. And New York Jets coach Rex Ryan had made it mandatory for quarterback Mark Sanchez, who's coming back from offseason knee surgery.

When Phillips replaced Parcells, that rule became optional for Cowboys players. Some offensive linemen can't stand wearing them, because sometimes it keeps your leg stiff. Other players just find it uncomfortable and can't get used to it.

But now, if you want to play on Sundays -- or in this case, on Saturdays during the preseason -- you had better put the brace on.