The Dallas Cowboys are currently leading the NFC East division with a 2-1 record after defeating the Giants in Week 1 to stay undefeated early in divisional games, but if the news about Anthony Spencer is true, the defense could take a big hit and so could Tony Romo's hopes of winning the East.
According to ESPN.com, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in an interview on his radio show in Texas that the team may end up having to lose top defensive end Anthony Spencer for the season for surgery. The report says that the DE could need microfracture surgery on his left side on his knee and if he undergoes the procedure, he will be done for the year and while no decision has been made yet, either way he likely will miss time.
The Cowboys are going to get a second look at the injury this week and they hope that the surgery could be avoided, but based on his past, it could be bad for Spencer, as he previously had surgery this summer for the knee and now he could be out after playing just one game, in the loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. ESPN.com reports that Spencer was in the game for just over 30 snaps and ended up with two tackles on the day, but he did not look explosive in the pass rush.
Spencer is one of the most important players for the Cowboys and it would be a big hit if he is missed for the season, as the team has been trying to figure out how to sign him to a long-term deal. After things broke down this offseason, the team used the franchise tag on him to keep him on the roster and out of free agency, but now that all could be for naught. The team had high hopes for Spencer after he recorded over 10 sacks last season and he was expected to be a big part of the defense.
The Cowboys are 2-1 this season and the defense looked very good against the rams on Sunday and while they are ranked 22nd in passing yards allowed per game, the team is second in rushing yards allowed with under 70. The team held the Chiefs back very well in the rushing game and the Giants simply didn't have anyone that was effective. The division title could rest on how well the defense plays and without Spencer it could get tougher.
