News: BTB: Anthony Hitchens is set to make his season debut on Sunday against the Packers

[NewsBot]

Welcome to the 2017 Dallas Cowboys season, Anthony Hitchens.

It was just 40 days ago that Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens suffered what looked like a season-ending injury. Thankfully, it was only a tibial plateau fracture in his right knee (some type of “only” there).

This is a similar injury to the one Dez Bryant suffered in 2016. The original prognosis suggested that Hitchens would be out eight to 10 weeks, but he will make his return one day past seven.

Cowboys LB Anthony Hitchens will make his return from a right knee injury Sunday against Green Bay. Cowboys DC Rod Marinelli said he envisions Hitchens and Jaylon Smith rotating for each other, like he uses his DL.

— Brandon George (@DMN_George) October 5, 2017​

Jaylon Smith has handled the middle linebacker duties in Hitchens’ absence, so it’s interesting to note that Rod Marinelli would have them in some sort of rotation. What’s perhaps even more interesting is if Sean Lee were to miss the game, but it stands to reason that Marinelli is of course prepared for that as well.

Anthony Hitchens says he is playing Sunday. He has been practicing all week at WLB. Would play MLB with Jaylon Smith if Sean Lee is active

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 5, 2017​

The Cowboys have certainly missed what Anthony Hitchens can bring to the table. Much has been made about how DeMarcus Lawrence is in a contract year, but so is Anthony Hitchens. This could wind up as quite the rewarding season as Matt Eberflus puts him in situations to succeed.

It’s pretty incredible that Anthony Hitchens is returning this quickly. Coupled with Jaylon Smith, that’s some pretty impressive work done by the Cowboys training staff at their middle linebacker spot.

Sean Lee didn’t practice today, along with a couple of other veterans.

Cowboys All-Pro LT Tyron Smith (back) and All-Pro LB Sean Lee (hamstring) and DT Stephen Paea (knee) not practicing today.

— Brandon George (@DMN_George) October 5, 2017

The Cowboys will have to feel very comfortable with Sean Lee's strained hamstring to allow him to play Sunday in an effort not to make the injury worse and prolong it for weeks. Also, Cowboys have a bye next week so he'd get more rest.

— Brandon George (@DMN_George) October 5, 2017​

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