July, 23, 2013
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
OXNARD, Calif. -- The Cowboys have expressed interest in free agent defensive lineman Amobi Okoye according to a source.
Team officials have no plans to bring in any lineman for a workout, but the team does have one roster spot available on their 90-man roster. The goal is to fill that spot with a defensive lineman.
Okoye played in nine games last season for the Chicago Bears under then-defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, who is now the defensive line coach for the Cowboys. Okoye, a 2007 first-round pick by the Houston Texans, has 16 career sacks.
The Cowboys have lost four defensive linemen in the first three days of training camp due to injuries.
Starting defensive end Anthony Spencer was sent back to Dallas to undergo surgery on his left knee. The recovery time should take two-to-four weeks. Starting defensive tackle Jay Ratliff hasn't practiced yet because of a hamstring strain. Ratliff's return is unknown.
Backup defensive end Tyrone Crawford suffered a torn Achilles injury the first day of training camp and is lost for the season.
Before Tuesday's morning walkthrough practice, backup defensive tackle Ike Ikponmwosa was seen walking out of his room wearing a protective boot on his right leg. His status is unknown.
The Cowboys entered training camp with 14 defensive linemen, but only two of the projected starters, DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher, are healthy and practicing. The team is down to 10 linemen.
Team officials continue to stress its to early to panic regarding the defensive line and seeing some of the younger linemen is a good thing at this stage.
"Injury provides opportunity," coach Jason Garrett said Tuesday. "There are some young guys that we have we want to see. We want to see a lot more of those guys play. We saw some of them play in the spring. We'll get a chance to see more of them, now that we will have the pads on, starting (Tuesday). It's just an opportunity to show us what they can do. If they do that, they earn more of our trust and we give them more opportunities."
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
OXNARD, Calif. -- The Cowboys have expressed interest in free agent defensive lineman Amobi Okoye according to a source.
Team officials have no plans to bring in any lineman for a workout, but the team does have one roster spot available on their 90-man roster. The goal is to fill that spot with a defensive lineman.
Okoye played in nine games last season for the Chicago Bears under then-defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, who is now the defensive line coach for the Cowboys. Okoye, a 2007 first-round pick by the Houston Texans, has 16 career sacks.
The Cowboys have lost four defensive linemen in the first three days of training camp due to injuries.
Starting defensive end Anthony Spencer was sent back to Dallas to undergo surgery on his left knee. The recovery time should take two-to-four weeks. Starting defensive tackle Jay Ratliff hasn't practiced yet because of a hamstring strain. Ratliff's return is unknown.
Backup defensive end Tyrone Crawford suffered a torn Achilles injury the first day of training camp and is lost for the season.
Before Tuesday's morning walkthrough practice, backup defensive tackle Ike Ikponmwosa was seen walking out of his room wearing a protective boot on his right leg. His status is unknown.
The Cowboys entered training camp with 14 defensive linemen, but only two of the projected starters, DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher, are healthy and practicing. The team is down to 10 linemen.
Team officials continue to stress its to early to panic regarding the defensive line and seeing some of the younger linemen is a good thing at this stage.
"Injury provides opportunity," coach Jason Garrett said Tuesday. "There are some young guys that we have we want to see. We want to see a lot more of those guys play. We saw some of them play in the spring. We'll get a chance to see more of them, now that we will have the pads on, starting (Tuesday). It's just an opportunity to show us what they can do. If they do that, they earn more of our trust and we give them more opportunities."
