Friday, September 3, 2004
CB will miss at least five games
Associated Press
IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys put safety Darren Woodson on the physically unable to perform list Friday, meaning he'll miss at least the first five games of the season.
Woodson had a herniated disc removed from his back in late July. Six weeks later, he's still unable to lift heavy weights and isn't ready to practice.
Going on the so-called "PUP" list means he can't be activated until after the sixth week; Dallas has its bye week during that span so it's only a five-game stretch. The Cowboys would then have a five-week window to try getting him onto the roster.
"It's not an easy decision, but I know it is in his best interest," coach Bill Parcells said.
The Cowboys also put rookie offensive lineman Stephen Peterman on injured reserve, knocking him out for the entire year, and they waived kicker Matt Bryant, receiver Zuriel Smith and defensive lineman Ryan Wingrove.
With the roster down to 63 players, Dallas still must clear 10 spots by Sunday's league-mandated deadline.
Parcells said one potential move could be putting receiver Randal Williams on injured reserve. He came out of a 24-20 victory over Kansas City on Friday night with a non-displaced fracture in his right shoulder.
Peterman, a third-round pick, tore two knee ligaments in the Chiefs game and is undergoing surgery on Tuesday.
Bryant was held out recently because of a lingering injury that Parcells said is now fine. He asked to be released after realizing the Cowboys were going to stick with Billy Cundiff.
Smith made the team in training camp last season as a returner, but will best be remembered for the ball he didn't pick up -- a squib kickoff by Bryant, then with the New York Giants, that rolled out of bounds at the 1 in the closing seconds of regulation in the second game of last season. A penalty for the kick going out of bounds gave Dallas possession at the 35, leading to a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation. The Cowboys went on to win that Monday night game in overtime, helping launching them to a 10-6 record and the playoffs.
