Saturday, September 14, 1996

Injuries Plague Colts; Cowboys Recovering
By the Associated Press
(Sept. 14, 1996)

IRVING, Texas (AP) - The Dallas Cowboys looked like they'd overcome their injury problems in a 27-0 victory over the Giants. It's a different story for the Colts, who had nearly a third of their team on the early week injury list.

The Indianapolis Colts are 2-0 after wins over two teams at the bottom of the league, the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets.

But 17 of their 53 players began the week on the injured list and they didn't have enough healthy players to go through contact drills during the week.

Five weeks after suffering a pulled hamstring, Elijah Alexander is healthy enough to step in and, hopefully, help the defense.

"I'm not quite 100 percent, but this is the best I've felt since I pulled it," Alexander said. "It's getting better and I'm looking forward to doing whatever I can to help the team."

The 6-2, 233-pound linebacker signed a two-year contract with the Colts Aug. 6. He pulled his hamstring during his physical exam.

"I couldn't burst, I couldn't break, I couldn't change direction," he said. "I could drive straight ahead, but this game is all about moving and agility."

The Cowboys' concerns are focused on Charles Haley, whose lingering back problems may keep him out of Sunday's game. An MRI this week showed no new damage to his back. Trainer Jim Maurer said the test revealed the Cowboys may continue their same course of treatment.

"There is always a chance he can play and always a chance he can't play," Cowboys coach Barry Switzer said. "I think Charles could play if he feels like it and we'd be all right if he doesn't. The rest would help him."

Look for rookie Kavika Pittman to spell Haley and Tony Tolbert so their bodies will survive the tough 16-game season. Against New York, Pittman had a tackle and two quarterback pressures in limited action.

Pittman, the Cowboys' first selection in the 1996 draft, said he's a lot more equipped to play than he was six weeks ago.

"Kavika is not ready to be thrown into the fire, but we feel comfortable putting him in the game," defensive coordinator Dave Campo said. "He fits into the rotation in a small way, and we need him."

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