Wednesday, August 14, 1996
Tuinei, Gadsden out with injuries
By CHIP BROWN
Associated Press
August 14, 1996
AUSTIN - Pro Bowl offensive tackle Mark Tuinei will be out two
to four weeks after rupturing the medial collateral ligament
in his right knee, Dallas Cowboys trainer Jim Maurer said Tuesday.
Tuinei was injured Monday night in a 31-7 exhibition loss to
New England as was backup receiver Orande Gadsden.
Coach Barry Switzer said Gadsden is out indefinitely and may
need surgery after fracturing an orbital bone surrounding his
right eye.
Gadsden had performed well in training camp and preseason, making
catches of 40 yards or more in two exhibition games and shining
on special teams.
Switzer said Tuinei's injury forces Pro Bowl right guard Larry
Allen to replace him at left tackle.
Third-year backup offensive lineman George Hegamin will replace
Allen at right guard.
Hegamin has been inconsistent and didn't receive much praise
from Switzer.
"Sometimes you've just got to play the default and hope
they play well," Switzer said.
Switzer said the Cowboys have not eliminated the possibility
of contacting offensive lineman Derek Kennard, who came out of
retirement last year to help at center in place of injured starter
Ray Donaldson.
Kennard, who has battled weight and motivation problems, was
not brought back by Dallas this year.
"It's not the time of year he (Kennard) plays well,"
Switzer said. "He likes that cold weather, hog-killin' time.
We don't know whether he wants to play. He would obviously fit
us better than anyone out there, but I am sure he's not in condition."
Switzer said the team may not have enough money under the salary
cap to address backup needs on the offensive line and defensive
backfield, where injuries have sidelined backup safeties Charlie
Williams (out for season) and Roger Harper (out six to eight
weeks). Dallas owner Jerry Jones on Monday announced an eight-year
contract extension for running back Emmitt Smith worth $48 million.
"We might have spent all our money on Emmitt yesterday,"
Switzer joked. "We may have to renegotiate his contract,
first thing. I don't know what's left in the coffers."
Switzer said the injuries to Tuinei and Gadsden on top of several
others have made the Cowboys "the thinnest team in football
right now."
All content copyright 1996, AP, The Abilene
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