NFL: Things Not Looking Well For Cowboys

After a 41-14 breakdown loss last Sunday to the Eagles in 109-degree heat at Texas Stadium, the Cowboys seem to be in a deep hole. A crowd of 62,872 were ready to see the 'Boys improve on their 8-8 1999 season after getting speedy receiver Joey Galloway, but what they saw turned into a nightmare. The team lost Galloway after suffering a torn ligament in his left knee late in the fourth quarter. The injury requires season-ending surgery.

Galloway was acquired from the Seahawks, who signed a seven-year, $42 million contract and was traded to the Cowboys for two first-round picks in the draft. He caught four passes for 62 yards and a touchdown and sustained his injury on the third-to-last Cowboys snap, when the outcome had been decided long ago.

He was carted off the field after he was slung onto the sideline from an Eagle defender. His landing was awkward, resulting in the knee injury.

Not only was their top receiver a victim of injury, quarterback Troy Aikman suffered the ninth concussion of his 12-year NFL career during the second quarter, and along with backup Randall Cunningham, is listed as questionable for next week's game against the Cardinals. Aikman was harassed the entire game, being sacked four times and heavily pressured/knocked down four separate times.

Last season Aikman suffered a concussion in a game against the Colts and returned the next week only to go out with another concussion after a fairly light blow. That has caused some people to think that Aikman's should get at least another week off, so the problem doesn't become worse.

Cunningham missed the last three preseason games because of shoulder problems and injured his right thumb when a defender hit it. Signing Cunningham as Aikman's backup now seems like a good move. The injury-prone Aikman was still feeling dizzy and had headaches on Monday, and if the symptoms keep up, he'll most likely not play next week.

Aikman will probably be sidelined if coach Dave Campo thinks it will be the best for his health. In that case, Cunningham should be ready to go, but it will be a lot harder without Galloway.