Newman Sidelined
CB Undergoes Surgery; Out At Least A Month
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IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys won't have the services of Pro Bowl cornerback Terence Newman for another month, if not longer.
Newman underwent surgery Friday in Durham, N.C., to repair an abdominal strain, or sports hernia, an injury likely stemming from a groin injury that has bothered the cornerback for more than two months.
Newman flew to North Carolina to meet with Philadelphia-based Dr. William Meyers, considered the top sports hernia specialist in the country.
Recovery time for a sports hernia is usually four-to-six weeks. With that timetable, a likely return date for Newman would be the Nov. 16 game in Washington. That would mean Newman would miss four more games, including the Nov. 2 game at the Giants, before the Cowboys get their bye week.
After going through four full seasons without missing a game, Newman missed two games last season with a foot injury, but still managed to return and get selected to his first Pro Bowl. This year, Newman has already missed two games and now after the surgery, at least four more.
Newman initially suffered a slight groin tear in the first week of training camp in Oxnard, Calif., in late July. He missed the rest of camp, all four preseason games and the regular-season opener in Cleveland after he suffered a minor setback in the week of practice leading up to the first game.
Newman returned to action the next three games, recording 11 tackles and a pass deflection before another practice setback kept him out of last week's game in Cincinnati.
Without Newman, the Cowboys are planning to start Adam "Pacman" Jones, despite his altercation this week with his private bodyguard at a Dallas hotel. The Cowboys completed their own investigation and owner Jerry Jones said Thursday the team would not discipline Adam Jones, even with his past that includes six prior arrests since being drafted by the Titans in 2005.
The NFL is still reviewing the case but is not expected to make an announcement or any ruling, which could include a suspension, until next week.
Even with Adam Jones set to start at left cornerback opposite right corner Anthony Henry, look for the Cowboys to heavily count on a pair of rookie cornerbacks Sunday in Arizona. Both Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick will likely get plenty of action, including Scandrick, who replaces Newman in the slot in the dime package.
Young CBs Prepare For Warner, Cards' Offense
Anquan Boldin's nasal fracture will keep him sidelined a second consecutive game Sunday, but the Cardinals proved last week they could score in bunches without their star wideout when quarterback Kurt Warner hit nine different receivers in a 41-17 win over Buffalo.
And with cornerback Terence Newman (abdomen) out for the second straight game, the Cowboys once again must rely more heavily on rookies Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick against Arizona's multi-receiver sets.
Anthony Henry and Adam "Pacman" Jones will start, with Scandrick typically playing Newman's slot position and Jenkins playing right corner when Henry moves inside in dime situations. Both young corners - Jenkins is a first-round pick, Scandrick a fifth-rounder - have been able to come along slowly thanks to the Cowboys' depth at the position.
That depth is being tested by Newman's abdominal injury. And both say they're ready to continue an expanded role.
"Every play that I get I get more comfortable, and just getting the feeling of being with those guys (on defense)," Jenkins said.
Said Scandrick: "I'm just preparing myself for everything. I'm watching film like I'm a starter. So whatever they call upon me to do, I'll be ready."
Larry Fitzgerald is Warner's primary option with Boldin injured, but last week Arizona got contributions from backups Steve Breaston (7 catches for 77 yards), Early Doucet (6 for 42) and Jerheme Urban (3 for 10).
No matter the personnel, Warner was effective using a short passing attack against Buffalo and will challenge the Cowboys' zone and man defensive looks on Sunday.
"I'm prepared for the scheme," Scandrick said. "They're more of a scheme-oriented team. Obviously they're going to try to work the ball to their guy, but it's all based on concept and scheme."
Watkins Out
After practicing on a limited basis throughout the week, Cowboys safety Pat Watkins (neck) did not participate in Friday's final full practice and officially has been ruled out of Sunday's game.
With Roy Williams (forearm) out at least another game, Keith Davis will start again at strong safety and Courtney Brown will play in nickel and dime situations. Williams did, however, return to practice this week for the first time since having a plate and screws surgically inserted in his arm last month to stabilize his fracture.
The rest of the Cowboys' injury report remains unchanged. Listed as probable are fullback Deon Anderson (knee), defensive end Stephen Bowen (hamstring), center Andre Gurode (ankle), nose tackle Tank Johnson (ankle) and tight end Jason Witten (shoulder). Johnson had been limited in practice as a precaution until Friday, but the others have had full participation all week. Guard Kyle Kosier (foot) will not play.
Felix Honored
For the third time in five weeks, rookie running back Felix Jones has been named the Diet Pepsi NFL Player of the Week for last Sunday's nine-carry, 96-yard performance that included a 33-yard touchdown run.
Jones also won the award in Weeks Two and Three, when he became the first Cowboys rookie to score a touchdown in each of his first three games.
After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com/rookies and via Sprint wireless service throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay.
Short Shots
Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry (groin), starting cornerbacks Eric Green (groin) and Rod Hood (groin) and starting safety Adrian Wilson (hamstring) were limited again in Friday's practice. All are questionable for Sunday . . . With their five sacks against Buffalo, the Cardinals now have at least one sack in 28 consecutive regular-season games - the longest streak in the league. The Cowboys have the second-longest streak at 22 games . . . The Cardinals have won five straight home games and are 2-0 at University of Phoenix Stadium this year, but they haven't won six home games in a season since moving to Arizona 20 years ago.