Despite increased caution around concussions and concussion protocol in football, the Dallas Cowboys were very optimistic they would have starting left guard Ronald Leary this Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Leary, who was taken out of the 4th quarter of last week’s game against the Cleveland Browns due to concussion-like symptoms, was expected to be ready to practice all week.
According to head coach Jason Garrett and the Cowboys, this is no longer the case.
Garrett said Ron Leary probably will not practice today – will see if he can work in as the week goes on.
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) November 9, 2016
Leary missing practice today is not in anyway deterministic of his status for Sunday. Plenty of times players will miss practice Wednesday or even Thursday, and still play on that Sunday. What makes me nervous for Leary is that when it comes to head injuries, the league may want the Cowboys to yield on the side of caution.
If Leary were to miss any game-time, 26 year old Joe Looney would be expected to start. Looney, who stands at 6’3″ 315 pounds, was a 4th round draft pick in 2012 by the 49ers before finding his way to Dallas. He finished out the final couple drives in Cleveland, once Leary went down.
