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Ellis: Rookie LB Carter Eyes Week 1 For Return
Still Waiting
Rookie LB Carter Eyes Week 1 For Return
Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas – While the hamstring injury to Keith Brooking has opened the door for several young linebackers to earn valuable practice reps, it's unlikely that rookie second-round pick Bruce Carter will benefit.
Carter, who suffered a torn ACL last December, says there is still nearly a month left on the timeline athletic trainers have given him for a return to the field. For now, he's still taking part in intensive rehab work each day.
"Right now they're saying the first regular season game ... I'll be ready to play," Carter said. "Right now we do a lot of field work, agility drills and cones and beams and the weight room a lot."
With Carter and Brooking out, second-year pro Sean Lee has worked with the starters while youngsters like Kenwin Cummings and Orie Lemon have been fairly impressive. Carter says he relies on fellow rookies like Lemon and Mike Balogun for help while learning the defense while he is unable to practice. Mental reps during meetings are crucial.
"I just try to get with the rookies who are playing and play the same position," Carter said. "And then if I have a question or whatnot, I'll ask coach or a couple of the other guys. Obviously it is disappointing, but you just have to stay mentally strong and kind of picture yourself in a play, and think about what you would do."
Like Carter, Lee missed significant time in training camp as a rookie, nursing a strained quad. He also suffered a torn ACL in college, like Carter, though he is now three and a half years removed from the knee injury.
"For me it's gotten to the point where I've put so much work in, I've done everything I can control, that I don't even think about it," Lee said. "I just try to do the little things every day, and when I get in practice I'm not thinking about it, which is a great thing."
Still Waiting
Rookie LB Carter Eyes Week 1 For Return
Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas – While the hamstring injury to Keith Brooking has opened the door for several young linebackers to earn valuable practice reps, it's unlikely that rookie second-round pick Bruce Carter will benefit.
Carter, who suffered a torn ACL last December, says there is still nearly a month left on the timeline athletic trainers have given him for a return to the field. For now, he's still taking part in intensive rehab work each day.
"Right now they're saying the first regular season game ... I'll be ready to play," Carter said. "Right now we do a lot of field work, agility drills and cones and beams and the weight room a lot."
With Carter and Brooking out, second-year pro Sean Lee has worked with the starters while youngsters like Kenwin Cummings and Orie Lemon have been fairly impressive. Carter says he relies on fellow rookies like Lemon and Mike Balogun for help while learning the defense while he is unable to practice. Mental reps during meetings are crucial.
"I just try to get with the rookies who are playing and play the same position," Carter said. "And then if I have a question or whatnot, I'll ask coach or a couple of the other guys. Obviously it is disappointing, but you just have to stay mentally strong and kind of picture yourself in a play, and think about what you would do."
Like Carter, Lee missed significant time in training camp as a rookie, nursing a strained quad. He also suffered a torn ACL in college, like Carter, though he is now three and a half years removed from the knee injury.
"For me it's gotten to the point where I've put so much work in, I've done everything I can control, that I don't even think about it," Lee said. "I just try to do the little things every day, and when I get in practice I'm not thinking about it, which is a great thing."