IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) -- The Cowboys linebackers were universally praised for their play in Sunday's season opening loss to San Francisco. Now, they'll be scrambling to fill another hole.

Linebacker Justin Durant is expected to miss the next three to four games with a groin injury, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Durant left the game in the fourth quarter on Sunday; his return was questionable. The defensive captain was credited with 8 tackles and a pass deflection before leaving the game.

Durant assumed the role of handling defensive alignments when Sean Lee was lost for the season in camp. Though he's worked at multiple positions, he slid over to weakside linebacker for Sunday's opener.

Linebackers Rolando McClain and Bruce Carter played the majority of the game alongside Durant. It's unclear who will fill in, or if Carter will be shifted to the weakside.

"Like we've talked about from the offset, we have different linebackers who we think are going to contribute for us. They did the other day in the game," said head coach Jason Garrett on Wednesday. "We have some options. Some guys that play different spots. We'll see what Justin's status is as this week goes on, and we'll try to fit the other guys in accordingly."

Kyle Wilber and rookie Anthony Hitchens -- who has worked both at middle and weakside linebacker -- are listed on the Cowboys depth chart as possible replacements.

"Those guys need to have some position flex, cause you never know what happens during the game," said Garrett. "We may need to put them at a couple different spots."

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