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Injury sidelines Cowboys' Tuinei

By Jean-Jacques Taylor and Bart Hubbuch / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS -- The Cowboys' struggling offense received some bad news Wednesday, when MRI results revealed a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in left tackle Mark Tuinei's left knee.

Tuinei, who has started 96 of the last 99 games, will miss Sunday's game against Jacksonville.

"He had the ACL repaired earlier in his career with a graft from a tendon in his hamstring," trainer Jim Maurer said. "The graft was partially torn."

Four-year veteran George Hegamin will replace Tuinei and make his second NFL start.

Quarterback Troy Aikman (back spasms), fullback Daryl Johnston (neck) and cornerback Wendell Davis (knee) each missed practice.

Each, though, is expected to play against Jacksonville.

Tuinei injured his knee Monday night, when he was kicked in the back of his calf.

Maurer said there is no certain way to determine how much time Tuinei will miss.

"He doesn't need surgery, but it's week to week," Maurer said. "We'll see how it responds with the strengthening of his leg."

Hegamin will face a tough test in Clyde Simmons and Tony Brackens. Simmons has 105 career sacks in 178 games, and Brackens has 11 sacks in 22 games.

"I don't think there's any more pressure on me now because I'm going to start," Hegamin said. "If something goes wrong, the offensive line is going to get blamed because you're protecting a Pro Bowl quarterback like Troy, and if something goes right we aren't going to get the credit."

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