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Knee injury may sideline Cowboys' Darren Woodson

By Jean-Jacques Taylor

Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - Darren Woodson hasn't missed a game in his six-year NFL career. But a hyper-extended right knee has put the safety's 80-game streak in jeopardy.

Woodson, a three-time Pro Bowl performer, underwent a magnetic resonance imaging test Monday afternoon to determine if his knee sustained additional damage in the Cowboys' 26-22 victory Sunday over Jacksonville.

The Cowboys list Woodson as questionable on their injury report, which means he has a 50 percent chance of playing.

"I'm more concerned than I was last week," coach Barry Switzer said. "I didn't think he was set back after the Washington game, but he looked really hurt in the first half against Jacksonville."

Trainer Jim Maurer said the MRI results will show if there have been any changes to Woodson's knee since before the Washington game.

Woodson made four tackles in the first half against Jacksonville, but he left after the first series of the third quarter.

When Woodson left, the Cowboys inserted rookie Omar Stoutmire, a seventh-round draft pick.

The Jaguars, trailing 19-7, promptly drove 70 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. On their next possession, the Jaguars moved 66 yards in 12 plays to take a 22-19 lead on a two-yard touchdown pass to Derek Brown.

Stoutmire intercepted a pass with 1:33 left in the fourth to preserve the win.

"The streak is not a factor," said Woodson, limping. "I'm going to try to play, but it's sore. It's very sore. I didn't hurt it on any particular play, I just couldn't go."

If Woodson can't play Sunday against Philadelphia, he would become the fourth starter the Cowboys have lost in the past three weeks to injury.

Left tackle Mark Tuinei (knee) and fullback Daryl Johnston (neck) are out indefinitely, and defensive tackle Chad Hennings will miss several more weeks with a detached groin muscle.

Woodson initially hyper-extended his knee 12 days ago in a non-contact drill during practice. He wasn't expected to play against Washington, but he wore a bulky knee brace and made eight tackles in a 21-16 loss.

He also forced a fumble that linebacker Dexter Coakley returned for a touchdown as the Cowboys nearly rallied in the fourth quarter.

Woodson's knee swelled Saturday evening at the team hotel, but defensive backs coach Mike Zimmer said he thought it would go down before the game.

When it didn't, Zimmer said he considered using Woodson only in passing situations.

"But he told me he'd been through too much just to play in our nickel defense," Zimmer said. "He's as tough as nails, and he fought through it for as long as he could. But we finally had to get him out of the game."

Stoutmire has impressed the coaching staff since training camp. Zimmer said Stoutmire's performance was the main reason the Cowboys didn't hesitate releasing veteran Roger Harper on the final cut.

He has 15 tackles, two sacks and an interception this season.

"He has done way more than I expected," Zimmer said. "I had no idea what kind of player we were getting.

"He's pretty smart, he understands the coverages we're using, and he plays at 100 miles an hour."

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