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Cowboys safety Barry Church set to return to practice Sunday
1:25 PM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas -- When the Dallas Cowboys return to practice Sunday, safety Barry Church will be there.
“I’ll be ready,” said Church, who has missed the last four games with a fractured right forearm. “We got the cast made and everything. It’s an on-and-off thing, so I’ll be ready to go.”
Church suffered the injury Oct. 30 against the Philadelphia Eagles and underwent surgery eight days later in which he had a plate inserted into his arm. Former Cowboys safeties Darren Woodson and Roy Williams had similar surgeries in the past and were able to return in the same season.
Church has gone through resistance training the last two weeks to step up his conditioning work.
Entering Thursday’s game against the Washington Redskins, Church remained second on the team in tackles with 64, according to the coaches’ tallies. He also leads the Cowboys in interceptions with two and has forced a fumble.
“That’ll be great,” Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr said of Church’s return. “He makes us go in the back end. We’ve been missing him for a few weeks. He’s definitely a ball guy. He’s a guy that can make hits and he’s a sure tackler, so we’re going to look forward to getting him back healthy. He gives us a some spark back there.”
The Cowboys have not forced a turnover in Church’s absence.
“He’s an unbelievable player,” linebacker Sean Lee said. “He’s made plays for us throughout his entire career. He’s a leader. He’s a captain, so that’ll be huge for us.”
The timing might be good for another reason. Church’s replacement, J.J. Wilcox, was knocked out of the Redskins game with a thigh bruise. While there is optimism he'll be able to play against the Minnesota Vikings next Thursday, Wilcox was limping badly Thursday night.
“Hopefully he’ll be able to contribute as well,” Church said. “We need all of our parts firing to make this last stretch run. I can’t wait to get back on the field. It’s been too long.”
1:25 PM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas -- When the Dallas Cowboys return to practice Sunday, safety Barry Church will be there.
“I’ll be ready,” said Church, who has missed the last four games with a fractured right forearm. “We got the cast made and everything. It’s an on-and-off thing, so I’ll be ready to go.”
Church suffered the injury Oct. 30 against the Philadelphia Eagles and underwent surgery eight days later in which he had a plate inserted into his arm. Former Cowboys safeties Darren Woodson and Roy Williams had similar surgeries in the past and were able to return in the same season.
Church has gone through resistance training the last two weeks to step up his conditioning work.
Entering Thursday’s game against the Washington Redskins, Church remained second on the team in tackles with 64, according to the coaches’ tallies. He also leads the Cowboys in interceptions with two and has forced a fumble.
“That’ll be great,” Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr said of Church’s return. “He makes us go in the back end. We’ve been missing him for a few weeks. He’s definitely a ball guy. He’s a guy that can make hits and he’s a sure tackler, so we’re going to look forward to getting him back healthy. He gives us a some spark back there.”
The Cowboys have not forced a turnover in Church’s absence.
“He’s an unbelievable player,” linebacker Sean Lee said. “He’s made plays for us throughout his entire career. He’s a leader. He’s a captain, so that’ll be huge for us.”
The timing might be good for another reason. Church’s replacement, J.J. Wilcox, was knocked out of the Redskins game with a thigh bruise. While there is optimism he'll be able to play against the Minnesota Vikings next Thursday, Wilcox was limping badly Thursday night.
“Hopefully he’ll be able to contribute as well,” Church said. “We need all of our parts firing to make this last stretch run. I can’t wait to get back on the field. It’s been too long.”