Wednesday, September 4, 1996

Emmitt Smith Comes Home In Neck Brace, May Play Sunday
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By DENNE H. FREEMAN
AP Sports Writer
(Sept. 4, 1996)

IRVING, Texas (AP) - A sleepy and shaken Emmitt Smith came home in a neck brace Tuesday. That doesn't mean he's planning to take next weekend off.

The indestructible Dallas Cowboys running back could play in five days against the New York Giants.

"We feel good about the doctors' reports, because everything checks out OK," said Dallas coach Barry Switzer. "Emmitt was up all night and hasn't had any rest or sleep, but he says he feels good and maybe he could play this week."

Smith's latest injury came late in a 22-6 loss to the Chicago Bears, when he fell on his head carrying out a play fake. It came two weeks after Smith suffered a sprained knee ligament in the final exhibition game, which he overcame.

Smith stayed overnight in a Chicago hospital, then flew home with owner Jerry Jones in the Cowboys' private jet. Smith had some soreness and stiffness in his neck and shoulders, but results of an MRI, CAT scan and other tests were negative.

"Emmitt's OK," said team physician Dr. Robert Vandermeer in Dallas. "There are no fractures at all and Emmitt is feeling well.'

Asked if the All-Pro running back would be given the green light in the home opener Sunday against the Giants, Vandermeer said, "We're going to take it day by day, and I'll see him again tomorrow."

Jones, who signed Smith to an eight-year, $48 million contract in mid-August, said Smith weathered the trip well and was "A-OK. We're relieved all the tests came out negative. We're encouraged. It was a close call."

Smith, a four-time NFL rushing champion, has missed only one regular season game because of injury in his six-year career.

"If Emmitt can't play on Sunday, we'll go with Sherman Williams," Switzer said. "We'll see how Emmitt works later in the week. He's got to be ready to go by Thursday, because that's a big day for offensive practice."

Switzer said he "thought" about taking Smith out of the game. The injury occurred with 3:41 left and the Cowboys trailing 22-3.

"I was thinking about it with seven or eight minutes to play, but then I would have been criticized for giving up," Switzer said. "Now, I'll be criticized for leaving him in there."

Quarterback Troy Aikman faked to Smith, then rolled out around right end and was knocked out of bounds. Smith had gone the other way and leaped into the air and came down hard without being hit by a defender.

Smith, who started despite the sore knee, gained 70 yards on 18 carries.

It was the first time since 1989 the Cowboys failed to produce a touchdown in a season opener. The performance would have made a peewee football team blush.

"I looked at the films and it was still ugly," Switzer said. "This is just not the same offense we had last year. You take away Michael Irvin and Jay Novacek and you see what happens. The defense played great. We'd take 15 more games like that."

Irvin is under suspension for five games and Novacek has a bad back.

Aikman said the Cowboys were out of synch from the start, with illegal formations, penalties, busted routes, poor blocking and dropped passes.

He said "we have to just zero in on what we can do, even if it's just three plays. We need to make sure we can execute at least three plays before we try something else."

Switzer added, "When you can't even line up right, it's just inexcusable. It starts at the top with me and goes right on down. We were terrible (2- for-8) on third-down conversions. "

Switzer praised Deion Sanders for playing 107 snaps at both cornerback and wide receiver.
"At least Deion showed he's in great shape," Switzer said.

Now, the Cowboys pray Smith will be, too, in time for the game with the Giants.

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