Aikman Will Play Again
Another round of tests on Troy Aikman indicate he should be able to resume playing quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys without any problems.
It just won't be this weekend.
Aikman, who had concussions on Oct. 31 and Nov. 8, will miss a second straight game Sunday when Dallas plays Arizona.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said it's too soon to know whether Aikman will play four days later in a Thanksgiving game at home against Miami and former coach Jimmy Johnson.
Aikman visited a specialist in California on Monday for further examinations and opinions. Jones said the findings were positive.
"I don't see that the visit to California necessarily impacted when he'll be back, but I think for Troy it reinforced the fact he will be back," Jones said Tuesday. "It reinforced that he hasn't had any lasting effects from the injuries that he's had."
Aikman, who turns 33 on Sunday, never said the concussions might lead to his retirement, but plenty of people have suggested it. With two concussions this year, he's had seven in his 11-year career and nine in his life.
"There was nothing in the examination that I'm aware of that undermined his comment that he looks forward to playing in the future," Jones said.
Jason Garrett, who on Sunday led Dallas to a 27-13 victory over Green Bay, will remain the Cowboys' starting quarterback. The seven-year veteran is 6-2 as an emergency starter.
Emmitt Smith, who has a broken right hand, will practice in a cast similar to the one used by Tampa Bay's Warren Sapp. Smith's status for Sunday depends on how well the cast works.
The status of receiver Michael Irvin, who has a neck injury, is much shakier. Jones said there is no timetable for his either his return or a decision on whether he'll be back.
"I'll take the decision when he's ready to make it," Jones said.
The Cowboys took a step toward shoring up their injured secondary Tuesday by signing Wendell Davis, who last played in the NFL in 1997 with Dallas. To make room, defensive back Kenny Wheaton, who underwent surgery last week, went on injured reserve.
Jones also said that offensive lineman Ben Fricke would likely be activated from the practice squad to help fill in while All-Pro Larry Allen recovers from a sprained knee. He's expected to miss at least two weeks.
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