Tuesday, November 24, 1998

Cowboys injuries a big worry

By DENNE H. FREEMAN

AP Sports Writer

IRVING - The Dallas Cowboys hope injuries don't prevent them from giving the NFC-leading Minnesota Vikings their best shot on Thanksgiving Day.

Wide receiver Ernie Mills underwent surgery for a cut on his small intestines and will miss at least the rest of the regular season.

He was injured on a three-yard catch for a first down in Sunday's 30-22 victory over Seattle. Mills took a helmet in the stomach at the end of the catch. Mills spent the night in a hospital because doctors wanted to make sure his internal bleeding had stopped.

Mills, a former receiver at Pittsburgh and Carolina, had caught 28 passes for 479 yards and four touchdown. He ranked second on the team in receptions.

The Cowboys also learned Monday they have lost left guard Everett McIver for the year with a knee injury. Rookie Flozell Adams will play in his place on Thursday.

Also hampered are cornerback Deion Sanders, sprained big left toe; running back Emmitt Smith, sprained right ankle; running back Chris Warren, strained right groin; and guard Nate Newton, injured left leg.

Sanders left Sunday's game in the first half and never returned because of his painful toe injury. He's listed as questionable for Thursday.

"It's clearly a concern with all the injuries we've had," quarterback Troy Aikman said on Monday. "Somebody else has to step up. We have a short week."

The Cowboys feel they must have Sanders because of Minnesota's vertical passing game to three standout wide receivers including Randy Moss.

"Deion takes away half the field when he's in there," said defensive back Charlie Williams. "Not having Deion changes our game plan a little. I'm rooting for Deion to get healthy."

Williams played in Sanders place against the Seahawks.

Defensive back Darren Woodson said the Cowboys must prepare like Sanders won't play.

"I'd like for Deion to be out there but if he isn't we have to get the job done with the players we have in there," Woodson said.

Smith's sprained ankle allowed former Seahawk Warren to log extended time against his former team and he gained 71 yards on 12 carries and scored a touchdown.

"The ankle is feeling a little better," Smith said on Monday. "I'll give it a shot and see what I can do."

The Cowboys (8-3) see the game against the Vikings (10-1) as a chance to show the NFL world they are back after a 6-10 slump under dismissed coach Barry Switzer.

"We took a step in the direction of the elite by beating Seattle," Aikman said.

Asked if a win over the Vikings would signal a Dallas revival, Aikman answered "yes, that would accomplish that."

Dallas has won six games over NFC East opposition. The Cowboys lost two games by the exact score of 13-12 to both Oakland and Chicago when Aikman was recovering from a broken collarbone.