Thursday, September 17, 1998

Aikman says pain persists

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman said his broken left collarbone continues to cause him considerable pain.

Aikman, who will miss a minimum of four games because of the injury sustained Sunday in a loss to the Denver Broncos, no longer wears a sling on his left arm but continues to be limited in what he can do.

Aikman said Tuesday that his rehabilitation includes treatment with an electric stimulant on his collarbone 20 minutes a day and walking on a treadmill; he said jogging causes too much discomfort.

While coach Chan Gailey speculated about Aikman being able to hand the ball off in three weeks and possibly be ready to play in four, Aikman refused to give a timetable for his return.

"I've always been optimistic," Aikman said. "But I don't want to back myself into a corner when I will be back. But eight weeks is on the long end of things."

Team doctors have predicted Aikman to be out four to eight weeks, though the bone could be healed in six weeks. Aikman said if he returns sooner than six weeks, padding will probably be used to try to protect the shoulder.

MEDIOCRITY STIRS HOPE

Despite Aikman's injury, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said his team's goal of reaching the playoffs remains intact because of the mediocre play in the NFC East.

The Cowboys and Giants stand at 1-1, while the Eagles and Cardinals are 0-2.

Jones, who says the division race is up for grabs because the other opponents don't have an established quarterback, said the key for the Cowboys is staying competitive until Aikman returns.

"I think it's up for grabs if you look at the quarterbacks," Jones said. "The teams that are established at quarterback have the ability to make an offense go."

Though Gailey says he is focused only on his team, he has noticed the problems of his NFC East rivals.

"You hate to wish bad on anybody, but if they wanted to continue to do that, that suits me fine," Gailey said.

NOT SEEKING DEPTH

Aikman's absence will not force the team to sign a third quarterback, Jones said.

The Cowboys, Jones said, believe that Aikman will return in four to five weeks. Furthermore, the team has confidence that Jason Garrett and second-year man Mike Quinn can do the job, Jones said.

The Cowboys have other options on the team to be the emergency quarterback, however, neither Jones nor Gailey would divulge which player the Cowboys were thinking about using.

The list of candidates likely includes wide receiver-tight end Eric Bjornson, who played quarterback in college for the University of Washington. Other players who have experience at quarterback are wide receiver Billy Davis and cornerback Deion Sanders; both played quarterback in high school.

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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