Cowboys already looking for OL reinforcements

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

OXNARD, Calif. -- The Dallas Cowboys are already bringing in reinforcements for a banged-up offensive line.

With four interior linemen hurt and not available for practice less than a week into training camp, the Cowboys worked out three of their former guards Friday. They agreed to terms with two of them on one-year deals.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Derrick Dockery and Daniel Loper had already agreed to terms before practice wrapped up after that. Montrae Holland tweeted Friday night it didn't look as if he would be able to work out a deal.

Dockery and Holland started games for the Cowboys last season, when Loper was also in the organization. All three watched practice Friday.

"Each of those guys have been with us. They've started a lot of games in this league," coach Jason Garrett said before practice. "We need to bring some guys in. We like these veteran guys."

Guard Mackenzy Bernadeau, who because of knee and hip surgeries hasn't taken a snap in any organized workout since signing as a free agent in March, started camp on the physically unable to perform list. So did center Kevin Kowalski (ankle).

Then guard Nate Livings, another free agent signed by Dallas, sustained a hamstring injury this week. Center-guard Bill Nagy has a high left ankle sprain.

The Cowboys didn't formally announce any roster moves Friday night. They will have to clear spots for Dockery and Loper, who won't be able to practice in pads until at least Monday.

On his Twitter account, Holland wrote, "Well I don't think it will work out being back in Dallas right now. Would love to be a Cowboy, but couldn't find middle ground."

There could be one open roster spot after numerous reports that rookie free agent receiver Cole Beasley, who wasn't at practice Friday, has decided not to play.

Jones said he didn't know there was an issue with Beasley until the owner got to practice Friday. Garrett said he expected to have an update Saturday.

On top of all the interior line injuries, the Cowboys have a new offensive line coach in Bill Callahan and their starting tackles have switched sides. Tyron Smith has moved to left tackle and Doug Free has gone back to the right side.

Even with their familiarity with the Cowboys, the returning guards will be in store for some new wrinkles with Callahan.

"There's no question that's a negative factor for those guys," Garrett said. "Because Bill has really emphasized how he wants to do things technically and there are some changes in what we're doing with our protections and our run game, so some of that stuff, they're not familiar with, but I think more than anything else, it's snaps in NFL games that's a real advantage for those guys."

Game notes
CB Morris Claiborne didn't practice because of knee soreness. Garrett said the first-round draft pick tweaked the knee Wednesday before a day off. Claiborne had an MRI. ... This is the sixth time the Dallas Cowboys have spent at least part of their training camp in Oxnard. They had experienced an earthquake, but never any significant rain until Friday. Rain showers started right before the afternoon practice, and defensive tackle Marcus Spears says he even saw lightning. The rain, which lasted for about a half-hour, didn't alter practice. ... WR Dez Bryant has changed agents, returning to original agent Eugene Parker after a short time with Drew Rosenhaus.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe