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SAN ANTONINO – Dallas Cowboys undrafted rookie safety Jeff Heath is set to return to his home state of Michigan this weekend as a starter.
With third-round pick J.J. Wilcox ruled out on Friday’s injury report because of a sprained knee suffered in practice Thursday, Heath is the next man up for a defense that also could be without DeMarcus Ware (thigh) for a second-straight game.
“We like (Heath),” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said at a news conference in Irving. “He’s been a guy who’s done a lot of really positive things for us since he’s been here. He’s a college free agent who came in and said, ‘I’m going to make your team based on my performance each and every day.’
“It first showed up on special teams, but he’s been a solid performer on defense when he’s gotten the opportunities.”
Heath logged a season-high 24 snaps in last week’s 17-3 win at Philadelphia.
“I think you all saw last week he was inserted for a reason,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters in Irving. “He’s playing well. He spelled Wilcox for a series in each half and spelled (Barry) Church for a series in each half. We’re getting real comfortable with him playing out there. So it is nice he’s able to step in and get his opportunity here.”
Heath grew up in Lake Orion, which is less than an hour’s drive from Detroit, and played his college ball at Saginaw Valley State in Saginaw, Mich. He said more than 80 family members and friends will be at Ford Field.
“It’s just a weird coincidence this week with me going back home,” he told DallasCowboys.com. “But you never know when it’s going to be your time and your number gets called. I’m excited.”
Running back DeMarco Murray is questionable after missing the Philadelphia game with a knee injury suffered the week before in the win over Washington. He was limited in practice all week.
“He’s got a real shot (of playing),” Jones said. “We’ll see how it feels on Sunday…We want to do right for DeMarco for the season, not just one game.”
Rookie Joseph Randle will get his second-straight start if Murray can’t play. The Cowboys will also have the services of running back Lance Dunbar, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.
Dallas listed Ware as doubtful. Like Murray, he was injured against Washington.
Receiver Miles Austin (hamstring) is questionable.
Rookie linebacker DeVonte Holloman is out for a second-straight game with a neck injury.
Receiver Dez Bryant (hamstring/wrist), cornerback Morris Claiborne (illness), receiver/return man Dwayne Harris (hip), defensive tackle Nick Hayden (back), guard Ron Leary (knee) and defensive end George Selvie (thigh) are probable.
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With third-round pick J.J. Wilcox ruled out on Friday’s injury report because of a sprained knee suffered in practice Thursday, Heath is the next man up for a defense that also could be without DeMarcus Ware (thigh) for a second-straight game.
“We like (Heath),” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said at a news conference in Irving. “He’s been a guy who’s done a lot of really positive things for us since he’s been here. He’s a college free agent who came in and said, ‘I’m going to make your team based on my performance each and every day.’
“It first showed up on special teams, but he’s been a solid performer on defense when he’s gotten the opportunities.”
Heath logged a season-high 24 snaps in last week’s 17-3 win at Philadelphia.
“I think you all saw last week he was inserted for a reason,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters in Irving. “He’s playing well. He spelled Wilcox for a series in each half and spelled (Barry) Church for a series in each half. We’re getting real comfortable with him playing out there. So it is nice he’s able to step in and get his opportunity here.”
Heath grew up in Lake Orion, which is less than an hour’s drive from Detroit, and played his college ball at Saginaw Valley State in Saginaw, Mich. He said more than 80 family members and friends will be at Ford Field.
“It’s just a weird coincidence this week with me going back home,” he told DallasCowboys.com. “But you never know when it’s going to be your time and your number gets called. I’m excited.”
Running back DeMarco Murray is questionable after missing the Philadelphia game with a knee injury suffered the week before in the win over Washington. He was limited in practice all week.
“He’s got a real shot (of playing),” Jones said. “We’ll see how it feels on Sunday…We want to do right for DeMarco for the season, not just one game.”
Rookie Joseph Randle will get his second-straight start if Murray can’t play. The Cowboys will also have the services of running back Lance Dunbar, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.
Dallas listed Ware as doubtful. Like Murray, he was injured against Washington.
Receiver Miles Austin (hamstring) is questionable.
Rookie linebacker DeVonte Holloman is out for a second-straight game with a neck injury.
Receiver Dez Bryant (hamstring/wrist), cornerback Morris Claiborne (illness), receiver/return man Dwayne Harris (hip), defensive tackle Nick Hayden (back), guard Ron Leary (knee) and defensive end George Selvie (thigh) are probable.
Continue reading...