Mackenzy

Bernadeau

Bernadeau has 20 career starts in four years with the Panthers, but had fallen out of favor by late in the 2010 season. The contract suggests he will get a shot at a starting job. It sounds like new OL coach Bill Callahan saw a few things he liked on film.

Bernadeau barely played in Carolina last season, so he shouldn’t be nursing an injury incurred in 2011. The extent of his hip problem is unclear. The Cowboys have some concerns on the interior offensive line with both guard spots in transition and underwhelming C Phil Costa coming back. Bernadeau signed a four-year, $11 million deal in March to be the new starting right guard.

The team doesn’t believe the injury is serious, and is hopeful Bernadeau will be ready for OTAs in a few weeks. “We want to make sure he’s healthy before we put him out there,” said coach Jason Garrett. OL coach Bill Callahan plans to try Bernadeau at both right guard and center when Dallas opens training camp.

“We’d be less inclined to play him at a couple of different spots initially because he’s losing his offseason work,” Garrett said. Bernadeau will miss all of OTAs, and may not be ready by training camp. Given a four-year, $11 million deal in March, Bernadeau is being paid like a starter, but whether he remains penciled in at right guard will depend on how quickly he’s able to come back.

Dallas had a third-round grade on Leary, who fell out of the draft due to concerns that his knee will eventually require microfracture surgery. Leary appears to have bypassed 2011 fourth-rounder David Arkin, who was inactive for all 16 games as a rookie. Veteran Mackenzy Bernadeau (hip surgery) is a prime candidate for the training camp PUP list, leaving the door open for Leary to snag the starting job.

The Cowboys hope to have him back in 10-12 weeks, leaving his status in question for the beginning of training camp. Bernadeau had been penciled in at right guard. The team has plenty of question marks on the interior, with Nate Livings, David Arkin, Bill Nagy, Kevin Kowalski and even undrafted rookie Ronald Leary vying for playing time.

The Cowboys signed Bernadeau to a four-year, $11 million deal in March with designs on starting him at right guard. He opened camp on the PUP list and isn’t going to be in position to compete for that job. It’s fair to wonder if Dallas signed damaged goods. The Cowboys may turn to UDFA Ronald Leary at right guard.

Bernadeau has yet to begin running, but he has graduated to light workouts and upper-body exercises. Last year’s fourth-rounder, David Arkin, is picking up first-team reps in the meantime.

He’ll come off the active/PUP list. Bernadeau’s status was in the air following May hip surgery and a July knee scope, but barring a setback, he should be ready for Week 1. Although Bernadeau made just one start for the Panthers last season, the Cowboys gave him a four-year, $11 million deal on the second day of free agency. It was one of March’s most head-scratching moves.

Bernadeau was removed from the active/PUP list Saturday, and is among the candidates to replace Phil Costa, who’s struggling in training camp. Moving Bernadeau to center would allow the Cowboys to give Ronald Leary an extended look at right guard.