Thursday, September 24, 1998

Dallas quarterback pushes himself to get back into lineup

By DENNE H. FREEMAN

Associated Press

IRVING - Troy Aikman's broken collarbone still aches - but it hurts him more to watch an NFL game from the sidelines.

So he's already set Oct. 11 against Carolina as his target game to return to the Dallas Cowboys lineup.

He also says he'll run again if he has to, even though he got hurt running against Denver.

Aikman said Wednesday he was a little stung by comments that he shouldn't have run in the loss to the Broncos on Sept. 13.

"I was sitting down and not taking on the linebacker," Aikman said. "I just got hurt sliding. Then I get criticism. One week the talking heads are saying I did a good job scrambling to help us win a game. The next week they are saying I shouldn't have run."

Aikman, who has had seven concussions playing football, said when he does come back he's not just going to sit back in the pocket and take a beating.

"My approach isn't changing," Aikman said. "If I think it's important for us to get a first down, then I'll do it again. There will probably be a time when I get hurt again. I do what I have to do to win football games. You'll see it every week."

Aikman said the success of the Cowboys behind Jason Garrett in a 31-7 win over the New York Giants on Monday night might delay his return.

"What I'm hoping for and what I'm saying is one thing, but I don't know what the doctors will say," Aikman said. "The position of our team (in the standings) will have something to do with it. But my target is missing two games (Oakland and Washington) and being back against Carolina. "

"It's hard to say when the shoulder will be healed, but it should be if I waited eight weeks," he said.

Aikman, who has taken the Cowboys to three Super Bowl championships, won't wait that long.

Aikman threw a little bit late last week and plans to step up his throwing this week. He also jogs to stay in shape and attends all the meetings and gives every bit of knowledge he can to Garrett.

"Jason did just a great job, but we all figured he would," Aikman said.

Garrett, now 3-0 as a starter, gets another test this Sunday in Texas Stadium against the Oakland Raiders.