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DE Anthony Spencer: 'Pretty excited'
Updated: September 25, 2014, 6:32 PM ET
By Todd Archer | ESPN.com
IRVING, Texas -- After recording just three sacks in the first three games, the Dallas Cowboys will welcome back defensive end Anthony Spencer to the lineup for the first time in more than a year Sunday when they take on the New Orleans Saints.
Spencer is returning from microfracture surgery on his left knee performed last year after he played just 34 snaps in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 15, 2013. The last time Spencer played a full season, he recorded a career-high 11 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl as an outside linebacker.
Anthony Spencer is returning from microfracture surgery on his left knee. The last time Spencer played a full season, he was named to the Pro Bowl.
"Haven't played football in a year, so pretty excited," Spencer said after Thursday's practice.
Spencer practiced twice last week in his first on-field work, and he has had no issues in practice this week. He started training camp on the physically unable to perform list as he rehabbed, but the Cowboys were encouraged so much by his progress that they chose to keep him on the active roster to start the season.
He would have missed the first six games if placed on the PUP list at the start of the regular season.
The Cowboys will be careful with Spencer's playing time.
"Probably No. 1, make sure we don't overuse him," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "He's kind of on a quiet pitch count, but he's had a good week of work. He hasn't played in a year, so he's practiced well. He's got all the things you want. Hopefully this week and every week after this, he gets better and better. Once you get a guy like that, then it starts helping everybody."
Of the Cowboys' three sacks, only a half sack has come from a full-time defensive lineman in Henry Melton, but he might not be able to play against the Saints because of a hamstring strain. The remaining 2.5 sacks have gone to linebackers Rolando McClain, Bruce Carter and Kyle Wilber.
Spencer, who signed an incentive-laden, one-year deal to return to the Cowboys, has said his body feels better now than it did leading into last year.
"I had a whole year off, got to recover," he said, "so I feel good about it."
Updated: September 25, 2014, 6:32 PM ET
By Todd Archer | ESPN.com
IRVING, Texas -- After recording just three sacks in the first three games, the Dallas Cowboys will welcome back defensive end Anthony Spencer to the lineup for the first time in more than a year Sunday when they take on the New Orleans Saints.
Spencer is returning from microfracture surgery on his left knee performed last year after he played just 34 snaps in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 15, 2013. The last time Spencer played a full season, he recorded a career-high 11 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl as an outside linebacker.
Anthony Spencer is returning from microfracture surgery on his left knee. The last time Spencer played a full season, he was named to the Pro Bowl.
"Haven't played football in a year, so pretty excited," Spencer said after Thursday's practice.
Spencer practiced twice last week in his first on-field work, and he has had no issues in practice this week. He started training camp on the physically unable to perform list as he rehabbed, but the Cowboys were encouraged so much by his progress that they chose to keep him on the active roster to start the season.
He would have missed the first six games if placed on the PUP list at the start of the regular season.
The Cowboys will be careful with Spencer's playing time.
"Probably No. 1, make sure we don't overuse him," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "He's kind of on a quiet pitch count, but he's had a good week of work. He hasn't played in a year, so he's practiced well. He's got all the things you want. Hopefully this week and every week after this, he gets better and better. Once you get a guy like that, then it starts helping everybody."
Of the Cowboys' three sacks, only a half sack has come from a full-time defensive lineman in Henry Melton, but he might not be able to play against the Saints because of a hamstring strain. The remaining 2.5 sacks have gone to linebackers Rolando McClain, Bruce Carter and Kyle Wilber.
Spencer, who signed an incentive-laden, one-year deal to return to the Cowboys, has said his body feels better now than it did leading into last year.
"I had a whole year off, got to recover," he said, "so I feel good about it."
