DeMarcus Ware strains neck in loss

Updated: September 13, 2010, 12:56 AM ET

By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com

LANDOVER, Md. -- Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware strained his neck late in Sunday night's 13-7 loss to the Washington Redskins, but he said the injury will not prevent him from playing next week.

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Ware was hurt while tackling Redskins running back Larry Johnson with a little more than four minutes remaining in the game in what turned out to be the last series for the Dallas defense.

Victor Butler replaced Ware for the final six plays of the series while the Cowboys' medical staff checked to see if Ware had any concussion symptoms.

"I'm glad it wasn't [a concussion]," Ware said as he walked toward the team bus after the game. "It's just a little tweak in my neck."

Ware said he could have returned to the game if the defense had another series.

The neck strain isn't nearly as severe as the one Ware suffered in a loss to the San Diego Chargers last December, when he was transported to a hospital in an ambulance. Ware had an inspiring performance the next week, recording two sacks and forcing a fumble in a road upset over the previously undefeated New Orleans Saints.

Ware said he had some soreness in the neck, but he doesn't expect to miss any practice time.

"I think everything will be fine," Ware said. "I'm not going to lose any sleep tonight, but we've got a long flight back. It's going to be a long flight."

Tim MacMahon covers the Cowboys for ESPNDallas.com You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.