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'Moose' to sit out Sunday

By MIKE BALDWIN / The Daily Oklahoman

IRVING, Texas -- For the first time in nearly a decade, there will be no "Moose" calls Sunday afternoon at Texas Stadium.

The Dallas Cowboys, having lost back-to-back games for only the third time in the Barry Switzer era, will play the 5-1 Jacksonville Jaguars without fullback Daryl Johnston, who has a bulging disc in his neck. If the injury requires surgery, Johnston would miss the rest of the season.

"We'll see how the results come back and evaluate it on a week-to-week basis," said Cowboys trainer Jim Maurer. "It's in his best interests right now to rest at least this weekend."

An MRI exam revealed Johnston has a bulging disc, but further tests were being conducted. In recent years, Johnston has suffered several "stingers," a football term in which a player experiences occasional numbness.

Johnston has never missed a game in his nine-year career, having played in 149 consecutive games. Rookie fullback Nicky Sualua, a fourth-round draft pick, will make his NFL debut. Sualua, a blocking specialist who was ruled academically ineligible his senior year at Ohio State, will spell Herschel Walker, 35.

"We can use different formations. We can use two tight ends," Switzer said. "Herschel can carry the load. One game's not going to hurt Herschel to block 15 to 20 times. You wouldn't want to ask a season, 16 games, for an old man to have to do that. But he can suck it up for one game."

Johnston, 31, is out indefinitely. The news was much better for quarterback Troy Aikman, who has been hampered by back spasms this week. According to Maurer, Aikman still felt slight pain but he practiced Thursday and should play Sunday.

Offensive tackle Mark Tuinei (partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee) will not play Sunday and is out indefinitely. Rookie defensive tackle Antonio Anderson is starting for Chad Hennings, who will be sidelined another three to six weeks by a groin related injury.

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Jacksonville players and coaches aren't buying into the theory the Cowboys aren't the powerhouse they once were.

"They're a very tough football team, particularly at home," said Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell. "They're one of the most talented teams, if not the most talented team in the NFL. We've got our work cut out for us.

"Certainly, they wished they had a better record, but they're a better team than that 3-3. We've got to approach this game like they're 6-0."