Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter can’t seem to stay healthy this season.
Carter just returned after missing three games with a groin injury and now he’s dealing with a broken left ring finger. Carter broke the finger when it got caught in the pads of running back Lance Dunbar at practice on Thursday, but expects to play against the Cardinals this weekend after having a splint put on by a doctor on Friday.
That should work out well for the Cowboys as they’ll already have to replace at least one starting linebacker on Sunday. Justin Durant was lost for the season with a torn biceps muscle and losing Carter as well would force Dallas reach deeper into their reserves as they try to avoid their first losing streak of the season. They also have some cause for concern about middle linebacker Rolando McClain because of a sore shoulder, although McClain was able to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session.
“I think for everybody, all the linebackers, everybody has to step up,” Carter said, via ESPNDallas.com. “Everybody’s role gets a lot better so we got to really prepare well. Me, Rolando, all the younger guys we really got to step up because Justin was a huge part of our defense and we’re really going to miss him. But everybody has to step up.”
On the other side of the ball, left guard Ron Leary and right tackle Doug Free both missed practice. So did quarterback Tony Romo, although his ability to practice doesn’t appear to have much bearing on whether or not he’ll play this week.
