AUSTIN (AP) - Dallas tight ends coach Robert Ford says Jay Novacek, who
is suffering from chronic back pain, has been feeling a little better.
Dallas coaches and trainers have expressed concern because a degenerative
disk in Novacek's back wasn't responding to treatment, leaving his ability
to play this season in question.
Novacek has been rehabilitating in Dallas, working out in a swimming pool,
and hasn't yet attended practice at training camp.
"The last five days, he has worked extensively from 6:30 in the morning
until 2 in the afternoon, and he has woken up with no pain in his back,"
Ford said.
"To him, that's very encouraging. He said, 'My goodness, I'm straining
everything I can possibly strain and I'm feeling good about it right now,"
Ford said.
"He's beginning to think that the starting time for him to get on the
field is a realistic goal.
"I am very optimistic about it. We are not trying to press anything,"
Ford said.
Dallas running back Emmitt Smith strained his left knee in drills Friday,
but Cowboys coach Barry Switzer said the injury didn't appear serious.
"They iced it down for precautionary measures," Switzer said.
"The trainer said he could play tomorrow if he had to play."
Smith had the leg wrapped after icing it down and walked without any noticeable
pain in the closing minutes of practice.
After practice, Smith did some routine stretches in the team's weight room.
Cowboys officials are beginning to sound like broken records when it
comes to voicing their support for the NFL's substance abuse policy.
They are certainly getting enough chances to comment on the policy.
The NFL on Friday suspended defensive end Shante Carver for the first six
games of the season on the heels of suspending receiver Michael Irvin for
the first five games - both for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Team owner Jerry Jones has repeatedly said he supports the policy, which
has been violated by five Cowboys players in the last year, according to
the NFL.
It was Switzer's turn on Friday.
"This (Carver's suspension) points out that the league's drug policy
works and we support it," Switzer said. "We want him to adhere
to it, or we don't want him being a part of this organization."
Switzer didn't voice such strong warnings when Irvin was suspended, saying
only, "Michael is a part of the family and he's welcome back whenever
he's ready."
Deion Sanders was part of the offensive and defensive plays of the day
for the Dallas Cowboys Friday.
In the defensive play of the day, Sanders ran a fly pattern and got his
hands on the ball before safety Darren Woodson swiped it for an interception
in the end zone.
In the offensive play of the day, Sanders' slowed down to try to maneuver
around cornerback Alundis Brice on an out-and-up pattern down the left sideline.
Brice never turned around and the ball banged off the back of his shoulder
pads and into Sanders' hands for a completion.
Thumbs down went to rookie receiver Stepfret Williams, who missed a pass
over the middle after pulling up because he was afraid of contact.
Several teammates yelled, "You've got to go get that ball."
On his next play over the middle, he dropped a pass as safety John Rushing
closed in on him.
Coaches have worried about Williams' ability to go over the middle because
he is pencil-thin at 6-feet and 170 pounds.
With the Cowboys down to just a couple healthy tight ends, fullback Daryl
Johnston was caught moonlighting at the position during Dallas' scrimmage
against Houston Thursday.
Dallas offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese said Johnston has lined up there
before, but the team has been forced to experiment with Jay Novacek, Kendell
Watkins and Eric Bjornson all out currently with injuries.
"He (Johnston) did well," Zampese said. "We are trying to
keep all of our options open."
Herschel Walker also has played tight end during training camp.
The Cowboys cut defensive tackle Casey Gamble to make room for the signing of tight end Derek Ware, who is 6-foot-2, 255 pounds and five years out of Central Oklahoma.