The Dallas Cowboys could very well be without superstar running back Ezekiel Elliott — the second-best running back in the game — come Week 1 against the New York Giants because of an ongoing holdout he promised to carry out the entire season unless he gets his way.
However, Elliott may not be the only key player Jerry Jones’ squad is missing come opening week against Big Blue.
Defensive end Robert Quinn suffered a fractured hand during one-on-one drills in practice on Tuesday and it expected to undergo surgery, the Dallas News reports.
The injury almost guarantees that Quinn misses the remainder of training camp and leaves his status for Week 1 very much in doubt.
“The relief is he’s going to be back,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said optimistically. “He’s going to be fine and he’ll be able to get his work in and do what he needs to play the Giants. I don’t think we’re looking at him missing any time here.”
Although Jones feels certain Quinn will be back come Week 1, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end would need to get through his timetable flawlessly as any potential setback would likely cause him to miss a game.
With fellow defensive end Randy Gregory suspended indefinitely, losing Quinn for any time would be a major early blow for the Cowboys.
The Giants and Cowboys open the season on September 8 in Dallas.
