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Injury hurting Stephen Hodge’s chances with Dallas Cowboys
Posted Tuesday, Sep. 01, 2009 Comments (0) Recommend (0)Print Share Buzz up!ArticlePhotos (1)Videos (1)CommentsA
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Backups will get spotlight in Dallas Cowboys’ preseason finale
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By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
IRVING — Dressed in street clothes, and with nothing to do but watch, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Stephen Hodge started helping special teams coach Joe DeCamillis file photos on the sideline during Saturday night’s preseason game.
"This is the worst timing possible that you can ever imagine," said Hodge, a TCU product. "The fact that you’re working your dream; you get here, and you get injured. When you’ve never been injured, it’s hard to adjust to. It’s real frustrating, super frustrating."
It’s going to be a photo finish whether Hodge makes the Cowboys’ final 53-player roster.
Until now, the sixth-round pick had never missed a game since he started playing football in the fourth grade. But Hodge has missed more practices than he’s made, because of a left knee injury, and he’s played in only one of three exhibition games.
Hodge practiced Tuesday, but coach Wade Phillips said afterward that Hodge’s injured knee had a "setback." There now is doubt about whether Hodge will play in Friday’s preseason finale against Minnesota.
Hodge’s best chance to ensure a spot on the final roster will come if he can play — and play well — Friday.
If not, the Cowboys will have to decide whether to keep Hodge on the 53-player roster, even though they haven’t seen much of him, place him on injured reserve, which would end his rookie season, or cut him. (If Hodge would clear waivers, the Cowboys could sign him to the practice squad.)
The Cowboys also have to factor in the injury to rookie inside linebacker Jason Williams, who will miss four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain, which leaves them thin at the position.
Hodge is hardly the only player who needs to show something — anything — this week to improve his chances of staying. Third-year receiver Isaiah Stanback, third-year tight end Scott Chandler, rookie defensive backs DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens, rookie lineman Travis Bright and first-year lineman Ryan Gibbons are among those who realize this is their last chance to make a lasting impression, whether it’s to stay in Dallas or to get a chance with another team.
With cut-down day only three days away — when the Cowboys have to reduce their roster from 75 to 53 — it’s better late than never.
"I told them all: This is your opportunity. Don’t look back and say, 'Well, I didn’t get a chance.’ Show us something," Phillips said. "I challenged them all. They all said they’re ready to do that. That’s what you have to do: You have to give it your all and let the chips fall."
The Cowboys drafted Hodge with the 197th overall choice mostly for his special teams ability after he led the Horned Frogs with 26 special teams tackles last season.
The Cowboys also had plans to move Hodge from safety, where he played in college, to inside linebacker, where he could be a role player in their dime packages.
But then, Hodge got hurt.
"He’s missed an awful lot of work," Cowboys linebackers coach Reggie Herring said. "It’s one of these things where we’re going to have to weigh what we have seen, what we know of him, and what he’s capable of doing. So there’s going to be some form of projection involved with him.
"We’ve been impressed with what he has done when he’s been out there. You just haven’t seen it on a consistent basis. So it’s going to be one of those deals where you’re just going to have to give it your best opinion and see where we go."
Posted Tuesday, Sep. 01, 2009 Comments (0) Recommend (0)Print Share Buzz up!ArticlePhotos (1)Videos (1)CommentsA
View photos
Watch video
Backups will get spotlight in Dallas Cowboys’ preseason finale
Ride the bus from Fort Worth to Dallas Cowboys games for only $5
Have more to add? News tip? E-mail us.
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
IRVING — Dressed in street clothes, and with nothing to do but watch, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Stephen Hodge started helping special teams coach Joe DeCamillis file photos on the sideline during Saturday night’s preseason game.
"This is the worst timing possible that you can ever imagine," said Hodge, a TCU product. "The fact that you’re working your dream; you get here, and you get injured. When you’ve never been injured, it’s hard to adjust to. It’s real frustrating, super frustrating."
It’s going to be a photo finish whether Hodge makes the Cowboys’ final 53-player roster.
Until now, the sixth-round pick had never missed a game since he started playing football in the fourth grade. But Hodge has missed more practices than he’s made, because of a left knee injury, and he’s played in only one of three exhibition games.
Hodge practiced Tuesday, but coach Wade Phillips said afterward that Hodge’s injured knee had a "setback." There now is doubt about whether Hodge will play in Friday’s preseason finale against Minnesota.
Hodge’s best chance to ensure a spot on the final roster will come if he can play — and play well — Friday.
If not, the Cowboys will have to decide whether to keep Hodge on the 53-player roster, even though they haven’t seen much of him, place him on injured reserve, which would end his rookie season, or cut him. (If Hodge would clear waivers, the Cowboys could sign him to the practice squad.)
The Cowboys also have to factor in the injury to rookie inside linebacker Jason Williams, who will miss four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain, which leaves them thin at the position.
Hodge is hardly the only player who needs to show something — anything — this week to improve his chances of staying. Third-year receiver Isaiah Stanback, third-year tight end Scott Chandler, rookie defensive backs DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens, rookie lineman Travis Bright and first-year lineman Ryan Gibbons are among those who realize this is their last chance to make a lasting impression, whether it’s to stay in Dallas or to get a chance with another team.
With cut-down day only three days away — when the Cowboys have to reduce their roster from 75 to 53 — it’s better late than never.
"I told them all: This is your opportunity. Don’t look back and say, 'Well, I didn’t get a chance.’ Show us something," Phillips said. "I challenged them all. They all said they’re ready to do that. That’s what you have to do: You have to give it your all and let the chips fall."
The Cowboys drafted Hodge with the 197th overall choice mostly for his special teams ability after he led the Horned Frogs with 26 special teams tackles last season.
The Cowboys also had plans to move Hodge from safety, where he played in college, to inside linebacker, where he could be a role player in their dime packages.
But then, Hodge got hurt.
"He’s missed an awful lot of work," Cowboys linebackers coach Reggie Herring said. "It’s one of these things where we’re going to have to weigh what we have seen, what we know of him, and what he’s capable of doing. So there’s going to be some form of projection involved with him.
"We’ve been impressed with what he has done when he’s been out there. You just haven’t seen it on a consistent basis. So it’s going to be one of those deals where you’re just going to have to give it your best opinion and see where we go."
