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Wednesday, November 12, 1997

Erik Williams' status iffy for Sunday

By Jean-Jacques Taylor

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

DALLAS - There's a 50 percent chance right tackle Erik Williams' sprained right ankle will keep him from playing Sunday against Washington.

If he can't play, Coach Barry Switzer said the Cowboys probably would start Tony Hutson, who was activated from the practice squad last week. Hutson participated in three plays against Arizona and impressed Switzer.

"Tony is by no means a great player," Switzer said, "but if he played a whole game the way he played those three plays against Arizona, then he can really help us."

The Cowboys, who were missing two offensive line starters Sunday, expect to have guard Nate Newton back in the lineup. Newton missed his first game since 1992 last week against Arizona with a bruised bone in his knee.

Left tackle Mark Tuinei is expected to miss several more weeks after having arthroscopic surgery last week.

Moving Hutson up the depth chart means third-round pick Steve Scifres has dropped a notch. Switzer said Scifres, who played at Wyoming, which threw 458 passes last season, needs to improve his pass-blocking.

Vice president Stephen Jones said Scifres' progress was slowed in training camp by the Cowboys using him at all three offensive line positions at various times.

Switzer said it's also difficult for young offensive linemen to progress because they spend much of their practice time running plays for the scout team. Scifres, who will earn about $400,000 this season in salary and bonus money, said he simply wants to be ready when the Cowboys need him.

"I think I lost a little confidence when I started moving around," Scifres said. "But at the same time, my job is to help the team any way that I can. I know I can do it. I just have to keep improving."

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LOOKING FORWARD TO LETT

Coach Barry Switzer said he thinks defensive tackle Leon Lett will be an impact player when he returns from his one-year suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Lett, who has met with league officials and filed for re-instatement, is expected to return for the Cowboys' Monday night game against Carolina on Dec. 8.

"Practice is important," Switzer said, "but some people like Deion Sanders, who can play baseball and then line up at cornerback and cover people, don't need it. Leon plays at a high level and, when he comes back, he's going to make us an even better defense."

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FINALLY ... MILLER TIME

Maybe Anthony Miller finally is finding a groove.

In the past two games, he has averaged 26.8 yards on six catches and he has two catches of more than 50 yards. He had only one for more than 30 yards in the first eight games.

"He's had good practices for about a month," offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese said, 'but that doesn't always translate into the games. People have been so hard on him, but I think he's going to do a good job for us."

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(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.

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