Sunday, December 8, 1996

Cowboys survive Deion's injury

By the Associated Press (Dec. 8, 1996)

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Deion Sanders, bent over in pain and unable to play during the first half, entered Dallas' game against the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter and made a key play.

Sanders, a keystone of the Dallas secondary at cornerback and a backup wide receiver, missed the first half with back spasms but returned to recover a fumble by Arizona's Leeland McElroy. After Sanders got the loose ball at the Dallas 32-yard line, the Cowboys scored in four plays to go ahead 7-6 with 5:07 left in the third quarter.

Sanders remained on defense in the fourth quarter, apparently moving with greater ease.

The Cowboys said Sanders practiced all week without injury but had back spasms during warmups. He did not appear on the field until 7:06 remained in the first quarter, just after Arizona capped its opening drive with a field goal for a 3-0 lead.

Sanders, accompanied by a trainer, appeared to be favoring his right leg as he walked from the tunnel to the Dallas sideline. He stayed on the sideline, sitting on a Gatorade cooler for a few minutes, then began stretching. But his back stiffened, and he limped back to the locker room with two minutes left in the half.

The Cowboys also lost cornerback Alundis Brice in the first half. Brice, who started in Sanders' place, sprained his right knee trying to block for George Teague after Teague intercepted a pass with 4:08 left in the half.

Brice did not return.