Orlando Scandrick (32) may be out for the year. (Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports)
Cornerback Orlando Scandrick was carted off the field at the Dallas Cowboys’ practice Tuesday with a right knee injury, and the team feared he tore his anterior cruciate ligament.
He screamed and cursed in fear of a torn ACL, secondary coach Jerome Henderson said.
“He said immediately ‘It’s my ACL. I know it. It’s gone,'” Henderson said. “I hope that’s not the case. I hope he’s just really dramatic — I hope he’s just really, really dramatic. So I’ve got my fingers crossed, and we all said a little prayer for him. We’re hopeful he’ll be OK.”
According to multiple media outlets, Scandrick was headed for an MRI exam.
The Dallas Morning News reported that Scandrick’s knee buckled while the tried to tackle Lucky Whitehead, with the rookie wide receiver falling on Scandrick’s leg.
Many Cowboys took it hard. J.J. Wilcox had a hard time returning to practice. Dez Bryant came and stood over Scandrick as he was being carted off. Scandrick was having a good practice before the injury and even had interception off quarterback Tony Romo. The defensive backs all got down on one knee and said a prayer for Scandrick after practice.
On his Twitter account, Romo wrote: “Sending prayers out to Orlando Scandrick…Fear he has a torn acl. Your the best bud.”
“Yeah, it’s tough,” Henderson said. “You get a little emotional, because he’s one of your guys. So it’s tough to see him, out here in practice, go down. But again, it’s part of our game. It’s what makes our game great, because losing him gives somebody else another opportunity to step up and be a player for us. It’s a tough time, though.”
Scandrick, 28, is entering his eighth season out of Boise State. Last year, he played in 14 games, all starts, and recorded 55 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, nine passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
The Cowboys and Scandrick agreed to a contract extension in May. The deal reportedly goes through 2019 is due to pay him $20 million, including $4 million this year.
Henderson said Tyler Patmon would be the top candidate to fill in for Scandrick as the slot corner. Morris Claiborne will be the No. 1 corner on the right side with Brandon Carr on the left.
Rookie cornerback Byron Jones is also an option there but they like him more on the outside than in the slight. He is also getting a long look at safety.
