Cowboys' WR Ismail out for season
08/20/2002
By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR, CHIP BROWN/
The Dallas Morning News
and MIKE McALLISTER/Dallas Web Staff
SAN ANTONIO -- The Cowboys have lost starting wide receiver Rocket Ismail for the season due to a herniated disc in his neck, owner/general manager Jerry Jones said Tuesday. Ismail is scheduled to have surgery on Wednesday.
Jones said doctors told him the injury, which is similar to the one that eventually ended fullback Daryl Johnston's career, will not end Ismail's career.
"They said he could play (again), but he's out for this year," Jones said.
The Cowboys will provide more details on Ismail's status -- including information on his upcoming surgery -- later today when they will make an official announcement.
The loss of Ismail means the Cowboys likely will move rookie draft pick Antonio Bryant into the starting lineup. Bryant has been alternating with second-year pro Ken-Yon Rambo as the No. 3 wide receiver, and Cowboys coach Dave Campo said Monday that Bryant is capable of being an every-down player this season.
Cowboys coaches have raved about the team's depth at wide receiver, with new offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet calling it the best he's ever coached. But that depth will now be put to the test.
Not playing this season also affects Ismail's contract. A provision in his contract states if he's on the roster for 12 of the 16 games this season, then $3 million of his $4 million salary in 2003 will be guaranteed.
That provision obviously will be voided when the Cowboys place Ismail on injured reserve.
Ismail suffered the neck injury during practice last Wednesday when he collided with linebacker Dat Nguyen. Ismail complained then of having a brief loss of feeling in one half of his body, but returned the next day to watch practice.
Problems persisted, though, with Ismail complaining of numbness in the tips of his fingers. He flew to Dallas on Monday for an MRI that showed the extent of the injury.
Ismail was the team's leading receiver last year with 53 catches for 824 yards and two touchdowns. But he has a history of injuries.
He suffered a sprained MCL last season in his right knee and missed two games. In 2000, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and missed the final seven games.
08/20/2002
By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR, CHIP BROWN/
The Dallas Morning News
and MIKE McALLISTER/Dallas Web Staff
SAN ANTONIO -- The Cowboys have lost starting wide receiver Rocket Ismail for the season due to a herniated disc in his neck, owner/general manager Jerry Jones said Tuesday. Ismail is scheduled to have surgery on Wednesday.
Jones said doctors told him the injury, which is similar to the one that eventually ended fullback Daryl Johnston's career, will not end Ismail's career.
"They said he could play (again), but he's out for this year," Jones said.
The Cowboys will provide more details on Ismail's status -- including information on his upcoming surgery -- later today when they will make an official announcement.
The loss of Ismail means the Cowboys likely will move rookie draft pick Antonio Bryant into the starting lineup. Bryant has been alternating with second-year pro Ken-Yon Rambo as the No. 3 wide receiver, and Cowboys coach Dave Campo said Monday that Bryant is capable of being an every-down player this season.
Cowboys coaches have raved about the team's depth at wide receiver, with new offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet calling it the best he's ever coached. But that depth will now be put to the test.
Not playing this season also affects Ismail's contract. A provision in his contract states if he's on the roster for 12 of the 16 games this season, then $3 million of his $4 million salary in 2003 will be guaranteed.
That provision obviously will be voided when the Cowboys place Ismail on injured reserve.
Ismail suffered the neck injury during practice last Wednesday when he collided with linebacker Dat Nguyen. Ismail complained then of having a brief loss of feeling in one half of his body, but returned the next day to watch practice.
Problems persisted, though, with Ismail complaining of numbness in the tips of his fingers. He flew to Dallas on Monday for an MRI that showed the extent of the injury.
Ismail was the team's leading receiver last year with 53 catches for 824 yards and two touchdowns. But he has a history of injuries.
He suffered a sprained MCL last season in his right knee and missed two games. In 2000, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and missed the final seven games.
