Doug Free not seen at practice today

[Bluefin]

I'm listening to Talkin' Cowboys live right now and Mickey Spagnola didn't see Doug Free on the practice field in the early portion that's open to the media.

Here are some Bryan Broaddus tweets.

Bryan Broaddus @BryanBroaddus · 3h 3 hours ago
“@RockyGilbert: @BryanBroaddus do you think #68 will get on the practice field today?” No he will not.

Bryan Broaddus ‏@BryanBroaddus
“@lotrab99: @BryanBroaddus @RockyGilbert i thought Garrett said yesterday he was?” He said we will see and that was Monday. I was told no

Bryan Broaddus @BryanBroaddus · 16h 16 hours ago
“@cowboys282: @BryanBroaddus Was O-line a bit better or worse or same with Parnell in for Free?” Better with Free.

 

[theogt]

It'd be great if he's playing, but it's not the end of the world if he isn't.

 

[xwalker]

I'm listening to Talkin' Cowboys live right now and Mickey Spagnola didn't see Doug Free on the practice field in the early portion that's open to the media.

Here are some Bryan Broaddus tweets.

Bryan Broaddus @BryanBroaddus · 3h 3 hours ago
“@RockyGilbert: @BryanBroaddus do you think #68 will get on the practice field today?” No he will not.

Bryan Broaddus ‏@BryanBroaddus
“@lotrab99: @BryanBroaddus @RockyGilbert i thought Garrett said yesterday he was?” He said we will see and that was Monday. I was told no

Bryan Broaddus @BryanBroaddus · 16h 16 hours ago
“@cowboys282: @BryanBroaddus Was O-line a bit better or worse or same with Parnell in for Free?” Better with Free.

I'm interested to know if Josh Brent is practicing.

Hitchens status is the other question; although I'm certain that he won't practice today.

 

[Plankton]

I'm interested to know if Josh Brent is practicing.

Hitchens status is the other question; although I'm certain that he won't practice today.

I think the Anderson signing is an indicator that we won't see Hitchens this week at the very least.

 

[Bluefin]

I'm interested to know if Josh Brent is practicing.

Hitchens status is the other question; although I'm certain that he won't practice today.

Josh Brent was out on the practice field.

They talked for a bit about Anthony Hitchens yesterday and today.

The injury is being characterized as a mild or minor high ankle sprain. Bryan Broaddus said the best thing for these injuries is simply rest, get the treatment you need and then stay off the leg. Broaddus saw Hitch in the weight room yesterday and he was moving around well.

 

[mldardy]

I'm OK with Free being out. We have been fine so far without him and I want him completely healthy before he returns.

 

[Bluefin]

Practice Update: Two Linebackers Join Practice As Hitchens Sits Out

There were fewer surprises on the offensive side of the ball, as the Cowboys’ personnel remained relatively unchanged. Doug Free was absent from the practice field to start the week – the third-consecutive week since he injured his ankle in Philadelphia. Garrett said Jermey Parnell has handled himself well in his extensive work during Free’s absence.

“We just have to see what Doug’s health is. He’s going to try to some work today. We’ll see. We’re not going to put him in there before he’s ready to play,” Garrett said. “Jermey’s played very well for us. He’s stepped in and he’s tough and he’s done a good job as a run blocker, done a good job in protection.”

Injured rookie Anthony Hitchens was one of the biggest absences at Wednesday’s first practice for Detroit, as he twisted his ankle in Sunday’s Week 17 win against Washington. As Hitchens sat out, Rolando McClain – who missed the regular season finale with an illness – returned to the practice field.

Those are just the noteworthy items among the starters. New linebacker signee James Anderson underwent his first practice with the Cowboys on Wednesday, as the team signed him due to injury issues with Hitchens and Dekoda Watson.

It’s been weeks since Watson was anything but an absentee, but the veteran linebacker returned to the practice field on Wednesday – the first time he has practice since injuring his hamstring against New York on Nov. 23.

 

[Venger]

I don't know if I'd say we'd been "fine" without Free, Parnell has been serviceable but there has been a notable increase in pressure from that side and I haven't seen alot of success running that direction either.

I sure as heck would rather have Free than Brent playing this game...

 

[Bluefin]

Here's an update from Todd Archer.

Defensive tackle Nick Hayden (shoulder) and safety C.J. Spillman (groin) were not on the practice field either. Linebacker Dekoda Watson is practicing after missing the final five games with a hamstring strain. link

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4739042/doug-free-missing-practice-again

 

[Bullflop]

Free probably needs all the rest he can get to be ready to be at his best on Sunday. I don't mind him not being at practice today as long as he's able to get healthy by Sunday afternoon. That, to me, is more important than practicing on Wednesday. If he isn't able to perform by then, I'm confident Parnell will play acceptably well.

 

[Plankton]

I'm OK with Free being out. We have been fine so far without him and I want him completely healthy before he returns.

Agreed. Parnell has played reasonably well in Free's place. It was impressive to see him running 70+ yards downfield on Dunbar's touchdown that wasn't.

 

[Bluefin]

Right tackle Doug Free missed practice with an ankle injury that has kept him out of the final two games of the season. Coach Jason Garrett would not say if Free would start over Jermey Parnell if healthy.

“We’re not going to put him in there before he’s ready to play,” Garrett said. “Jermey’s played very well for us. He’s stepped in and he’s tough and he’s done a good job as a run blocker, done a good job in protection. He blocked (Ryan Kerrigan) a lot in the game the other day. And they put him over there. Really thought he held up well. He’s really improved as a player, but obviously we love Doug. Doug’s done a really good job for us. Doug’s impact on the other guys around him is significant. First question is, let’s get Doug healthy and then we’ll make that decision.”

link

 

[big dog cowboy]

I sure as heck would rather have Free than Brent playing this game...

Just the opposite for me. We always need any help we can get on defense.

 

[Eskimo]

If Free isn't fully healthy you play Parnell this week and get Free ready for the next game. I don't want to see a repeat of 2009 where we probably rushed Colombo back on the field. Some will say that Colombo played against the Eagles but he was up against a nobody who actually put up a good game against him before Ray Edwards looked like a 1st ballot HOFer against him in the divisional round against the Vikings. I think Edwards owes Colombo about $10M for that game.

With this being a Saturday game, Free missing practice today is pretty damning evidence that he isn't ready to play yet.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

If Free isn't fully healthy you play Parnell this week and get Free ready for the next game. I don't want to see a repeat of 2009 where we probably rushed Colombo back on the field. Some will say that Colombo played against the Eagles but he was up against a nobody who actually put up a good game against him before Ray Edwards looked like a 1st ballot HOFer against him in the divisional round against the Vikings. I think Edwards owes Colombo about $10M for that game.

With this being a Saturday game, Free missing practice today is pretty damning evidence that he isn't ready to play yet.

I thought it was a Sunday game.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

With this being a Saturday game, Free missing practice today is pretty damning evidence that he isn't ready to play yet.

uhhh....its Sunday at 3:40pm

 

[Eskimo]

I thought it was a Sunday game.

Oops!

I got Saturday in my head for some reason. Better to get that thought out of my head now and reset my internal game countdown.

 

[lane]

Agreed. Parnell has played reasonably well in Free's place. It was impressive to see him running 70+ yards downfield on Dunbar's touchdown that wasn't.

t-will too.

 

[LatinMind]

I'm listening to Talkin' Cowboys live right now and Mickey Spagnola didn't see Doug Free on the practice field in the early portion that's open to the media.

Here are some Bryan Broaddus tweets.

Bryan Broaddus @BryanBroaddus · 3h 3 hours ago
“@RockyGilbert: @BryanBroaddus do you think #68 will get on the practice field today?” No he will not.

Bryan Broaddus ‏@BryanBroaddus
“@lotrab99: @BryanBroaddus @RockyGilbert i thought Garrett said yesterday he was?” He said we will see and that was Monday. I was told no

Bryan Broaddus @BryanBroaddus · 16h 16 hours ago
“@cowboys282: @BryanBroaddus Was O-line a bit better or worse or same with Parnell in for Free?” Better with Free.

Parnell isnt bad but he isnt athletic enough to pick up blitzes as good as free. Or doesnt recognize it as quick. Parnell IMO would flourish in a man blocking scheme but in this scheme is limited. He wont lose the game for you but hes not as good as free in this scheme.

 

[SportsGuru80]

If Free isn't fully healthy you play Parnell this week and get Free ready for the next game. I don't want to see a repeat of 2009 where we probably rushed Colombo back on the field. Some will say that Colombo played against the Eagles but he was up against a nobody who actually put up a good game against him before Ray Edwards looked like a 1st ballot HOFer against him in the divisional round against the Vikings. I think Edwards owes Colombo about $10M for that game.

With this being a Saturday game, Free missing practice today is pretty damning evidence that he isn't ready to play yet.

Exactly...