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For much of the first half of the first preseason game of 2019, the Dallas Cowboys looked like they might have a new defensive star on the rise. Undrafted rookie linebacker Luke Gifford made an impression in his preseason debut, one of many young players who came on in relief of the first-group starters.
Unfortunately, though, Gifford’s evening ended in the sideline medical tent. He got tangled up in a second-quarter tackle; the Nebraska product required a fair bit of assistance in getting off the field and did not return. X-rays came back negative. The injury was later classified as a high ankle sprain.
Halftime injury update: @dallascowboys rookie LB Luke Gifford (left ankle) was taken to X Ray room in 2nd qtr. Gifford has INT earlier in game. X rays negative, ankle sprain. Sean Lee told me that he expected Gifford to be the team’s preseason leader in tackles.
— KristiCowboySideline (@KristiCowboy) August 11, 2019
Earlier in the quarter, Gifford had made a solid open-field tackle and then snagged his first interception as a Cowboy a few plays later. He picked off a Nick Mullens pass as the 49ers were marching toward the red zone and returned the ball 13 yards.
Interception!@dallascowboys LB Luke Gifford is going the other way!
: #DALvsSF on NFL Network (or check local listings) pic.twitter.com/T0L21UZqWe
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 11, 2019
Despite the announcers mistakenly calling him “Luke Griffin” on the air, the former Cornhusker did his best to make sure his coaches knew his name in his bid to make the 53-man roster and join an already-talented group of linebackers in the Dallas locker room.
Head coach Jason Garrett noticed. In his postgame press conference, he had positive things to say about the 6-foot-3 rookie.
While Gifford’s injury could have been worse, it’s definitely a blow to the rookie’s efforts to solidify his place with the team.
Jerry Jones on rookie LB Luke Gifford's ankle injury: "high sprain and pretty significant. He'll be out a little while."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 11, 2019
Rehabbing the ankle will cost Gifford time. And in August, time is a commodity that most rookies fighting to survive NFL training camp cuts simply do not have in great supply.
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65 Best pics from Cowboys preseason opener vs 49ers
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Unfortunately, though, Gifford’s evening ended in the sideline medical tent. He got tangled up in a second-quarter tackle; the Nebraska product required a fair bit of assistance in getting off the field and did not return. X-rays came back negative. The injury was later classified as a high ankle sprain.
Halftime injury update: @dallascowboys rookie LB Luke Gifford (left ankle) was taken to X Ray room in 2nd qtr. Gifford has INT earlier in game. X rays negative, ankle sprain. Sean Lee told me that he expected Gifford to be the team’s preseason leader in tackles.
— KristiCowboySideline (@KristiCowboy) August 11, 2019
Earlier in the quarter, Gifford had made a solid open-field tackle and then snagged his first interception as a Cowboy a few plays later. He picked off a Nick Mullens pass as the 49ers were marching toward the red zone and returned the ball 13 yards.
Interception!@dallascowboys LB Luke Gifford is going the other way!
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 11, 2019
Despite the announcers mistakenly calling him “Luke Griffin” on the air, the former Cornhusker did his best to make sure his coaches knew his name in his bid to make the 53-man roster and join an already-talented group of linebackers in the Dallas locker room.
Head coach Jason Garrett noticed. In his postgame press conference, he had positive things to say about the 6-foot-3 rookie.
“Luke did some good things in the game. Obviously made a big play in the interception, and then he hurt his ankle, and we’ll see the severity of that ankle injury here over the next few days. But he’s done a good job in training camp, and you know, you deal with the situations as they come. He’s done a good job with the opportunities, and whatever the situation is with his ankle, he’ll get back to work and try to get that thing healthy.”
While Gifford’s injury could have been worse, it’s definitely a blow to the rookie’s efforts to solidify his place with the team.
Jerry Jones on rookie LB Luke Gifford's ankle injury: "high sprain and pretty significant. He'll be out a little while."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 11, 2019
Rehabbing the ankle will cost Gifford time. And in August, time is a commodity that most rookies fighting to survive NFL training camp cuts simply do not have in great supply.
Gallery
65 Best pics from Cowboys preseason opener vs 49ers
view 65 imagesContinue reading...
