AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - With three defensive players recovering from recent
injuries and the training camp departures of Shante Carver and Shane Hannah,
Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer is less than optimistic about this week's
scrimmage against the Houston Oilers.
"I hope we'll have enough players" at Wednesday's practice, Switzer
said.
After Sunday's annual Blue-White scrimmage headlined by Troy Aikman's two
long touchdown passes, owner Jerry Jones said the Cowboys "are making
plans" to do without defensive end Carver for the rest of the year.
Jones said Carver, a first-round draft pick in 1994 out of Arizona State,
left the team "for personal reasons" amid reports the NFL will
dole out a year's suspension for alcohol abuse.
"Shante just did what he had to do. We have no plans for him this season,"
said Jones, who could hear from the NFL today about Carver and Michael Irvin,
who has left the team temporarily following a drug scandal.
Hannah, a second-round pick in 1995, left earlier in the week because he
doesn't want to play football anymore.
Carver, 25, who only had two career sacks, has been randomly tested by the
NFL since his 1994 rookie season when he rolled his sports vehicle in an
early morning accident. He was the first person drafted after coach Jimmy
Johnson left the team.
Meanwhile, safety Roger Harper, third-round draft pick Mike Ulufale, and
defensive lineman Hurvin McCormack all sustained injuries in Sunday's scrimmage
in 100-degree heat.
Harper fractured his right forearm, the same one he broke when he played
for the Atlanta Falcons in 1994. Ulufale, a defensive tackle, was carried
away in an ambulance with neck and shoulder injuries. He will remain hospitalized
and undergo a CAT scan and MRI today. McCormack severely sprained his left
ankle, but X-rays were negative.
Offensive lineman Nate Newton also bruised a hamstring, but was expected
to return to practice next week.
"It really hurts our depth, particularly in the defensive line,"
Switzer said. "We're running out of players. We had to hold out Leon
Lett and Chad Hennings because they're hurt."
Switzer cut the number of plays from the scheduled 60 to 42 but the injuries
happened anyway.
Once again Aikman demonstrated why he owns three Super Bowl rings.
He hit Kevin Williams and Deion Sanders on back-to-back 65-yard touchdown
passes.
"I think you could say Troy and our No. 1 offense were pretty sharp,"
Switzer said.
"It's great to have receivers like Kevin and Deion who can get deep,"
Aikman said. Aikman was 5-for-6 for 281 yards.
The only other touchdown came on a 50-yard pass from Scott Semptimphelter
to rookie Mark Harris.