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Touchdown caps Anthony Spencer's comeback
December, 29, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
LANDOVER, Md. -- There was no guarantee Anthony Spencer's career would continue after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee last year.
He had to endure a tedious rehab process that required him to be patient. Time, as Spencer learned, was the only way to ensure he would get on the field.
He missed the first three games of the season in his recovery, but he played in the final 13. He never recorded a full sack but his productivity increased, especially later in the season. In Sunday's 44-17 win over the Washington Redskins, Spencer recorded the first touchdown of his career, picking up Robert Griffin III's fumble in the fourth quarter after Terrell McClain's sack.
But he didn't care about keeping the football.
"I gave it to Terrell because he got the sack," Spencer said. "You got to give those away."
Spencer's touchdown provided a feel-good moment to his Dallas Cowboys teammates who saw him work through the rehab process, from walking on a treadmill to sprinting straight ahead to finally going through football drills late in the summer.
"The road that Spence has taken from his injury is as big as anybody's," coach Jason Garrett said. "Lots of obstacles and different adversities to overcome. But again it comes from a mental toughness. I think we've seen Spence the last few weeks as a healthier guy who has shown up more as a pass-rusher and making those plays."
December, 29, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
LANDOVER, Md. -- There was no guarantee Anthony Spencer's career would continue after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee last year.
He had to endure a tedious rehab process that required him to be patient. Time, as Spencer learned, was the only way to ensure he would get on the field.
He missed the first three games of the season in his recovery, but he played in the final 13. He never recorded a full sack but his productivity increased, especially later in the season. In Sunday's 44-17 win over the Washington Redskins, Spencer recorded the first touchdown of his career, picking up Robert Griffin III's fumble in the fourth quarter after Terrell McClain's sack.
But he didn't care about keeping the football.
"I gave it to Terrell because he got the sack," Spencer said. "You got to give those away."
Spencer's touchdown provided a feel-good moment to his Dallas Cowboys teammates who saw him work through the rehab process, from walking on a treadmill to sprinting straight ahead to finally going through football drills late in the summer.
"The road that Spence has taken from his injury is as big as anybody's," coach Jason Garrett said. "Lots of obstacles and different adversities to overcome. But again it comes from a mental toughness. I think we've seen Spence the last few weeks as a healthier guy who has shown up more as a pass-rusher and making those plays."