DMN: Matt Johnson plans to fully practice Monday

[Irving Cowboy]

Matt Johnson plans to fully practice Monday
By Brandon George / Reporter
1:46 pm on October 3, 2012

IRVING — Cowboys rookie safety Matt Johnson said the plan is for him to fully practice Monday when the team returns from their four-day break after their bye week.

Johnson hasn’t practiced with the Cowboys this year because of hamstring and back injuries.

Johnson was in uniform for practice Wednesday but was limited. He said he did some conditioning early in practice and then watched the end.

“I got one hard day in and I’ll get another hard day in tomorrow before we got the weekend and then hit it running on Monday,” Johnson said. “I wish I could stay here and practice all week, all weekend.”

Johnson said his reoccuring hamstring injuries and the fact he’s missed so much practice time has been frustrating for him because he never missed a game in high school or college.

“I’m kind of tired of sitting and watching,” Johnson said.

Johnson said his injured hamstring and back “feel good, better than they have.” He injured his back a few weeks ago while squatting. He took an epidural shot to help relieve the pain.

 

[Irving Cowboy]

Cowboys NT Jay Ratliff, C Phil Costa seen in uniform at Wednesday practice
By Rainer Sabin / Reporter
11:55 am on October 3, 2012

IRVING — Multiple Cowboys players who had been sidelined with injuries were seen in uniform at practice Wednesday at Valley Ranch.

Nose tackle Jay Ratliff, who had been out since suffering a left high-ankle sprain Aug. 25, was stretching along with center Phil Costa, who hasn’t played since hurting his back on the first offensive series of the Cowboys’ victory over the New York Giants on Sept. 5. Also back was rookie safety Matt Johnson (hamstring/back), linebacker Alex Albright (neck) and Kenyon Coleman, who missed the previous two games with a right knee injury.

It’s uncertain how much activity all four players will be involved in Wednesday because an official practice report won’t be released by the club.

Among the players who were not present or weren’t in uniform were linebacker Anthony Spencer (strained pectoral muscle), center Ryan Cook (strained left hamstring), punter Chris Jones (left knee) and tight end John Phillips (sprained right ankle).