NARD, Calif. — Morris Claiborne didn’t miss Thursday’s preseason opener because he’s still battling knee issues.
The fourth-year corner is ready to go. It’s the Cowboys coaching and training staff that decided to hold him out. Claiborne said Saturday that if he’s cleared to play Aug. 23 at San Francisco, he’ll be on the field.
“When they want me to go play, I’m playing this game, I’m going to go play,” he said. “If they’re holding me out, they’re holding me out. But like I said, I’ll be ready no matter what.”
Claiborne, the sixth overall pick in 2012, says this is the best he’s felt since starring at LSU. Dealing with knee issues throughout his time with the Cowboys, Claiborne finally feels like he doesn’t have to be cautious when he’s on the field.
“I feel good,” he said. “I don’t have no complaints about how I’m playing from the coaching staff. Everybody seems to be pleased with where I’m at. I’m pleased with where I’m at, and whether I take a preseason snap or not, I’ll be ready to play for that home opener.”
In October, Claiborne had surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee. He had a scope on his right knee in January.
While recovering from both procedures, Claiborne said he received texts from head coach Jason Garrett every other day.
“Just trying to motivate me and keep me going,” Claiborne said of the text messages. “The training staff was keeping him updated with what I was doing. He was just telling me to just keep going, keep going and we’ll see the results.”
Now, Claiborne is ahead of schedule and ready to compete for a starting spot.
“That’s my goal, to be a starter,” he said. “I once was a starter in this league. I know it’s not hard for me. I know what I can do. I know my ability. I just got to go out and get it done.”
The fourth-year corner is ready to go. It’s the Cowboys coaching and training staff that decided to hold him out. Claiborne said Saturday that if he’s cleared to play Aug. 23 at San Francisco, he’ll be on the field.
“When they want me to go play, I’m playing this game, I’m going to go play,” he said. “If they’re holding me out, they’re holding me out. But like I said, I’ll be ready no matter what.”
Claiborne, the sixth overall pick in 2012, says this is the best he’s felt since starring at LSU. Dealing with knee issues throughout his time with the Cowboys, Claiborne finally feels like he doesn’t have to be cautious when he’s on the field.
“I feel good,” he said. “I don’t have no complaints about how I’m playing from the coaching staff. Everybody seems to be pleased with where I’m at. I’m pleased with where I’m at, and whether I take a preseason snap or not, I’ll be ready to play for that home opener.”
In October, Claiborne had surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee. He had a scope on his right knee in January.
While recovering from both procedures, Claiborne said he received texts from head coach Jason Garrett every other day.
“Just trying to motivate me and keep me going,” Claiborne said of the text messages. “The training staff was keeping him updated with what I was doing. He was just telling me to just keep going, keep going and we’ll see the results.”
Now, Claiborne is ahead of schedule and ready to compete for a starting spot.
“That’s my goal, to be a starter,” he said. “I once was a starter in this league. I know it’s not hard for me. I know what I can do. I know my ability. I just got to go out and get it done.”
