Cowboys Corner

Rossum agrees to deal

The Cowboys have agreed to terms with returner Allen Rossum, a Dallas Skyline High School product. Rossum, 33, ranks second in league history with 14,987 return yards.

They cut cornerback Cletis Gordon, who was signed last week, to make room for Rossum. Rossum was waived by the 49ers to make room for receiver Michael Crabtree.

The Cowboys have lacked production from their punt returners. They have averaged 7.3 yards on 11 returns, including 10 for 8.0 yards by Patrick Crayton. Crayton fumbled a punt Sunday, and Terence Newman allowed another to be downed at the 3-yard line.

Rossum, who has eight career returns for touchdowns in his career, also could return kickoffs for the Cowboys now that Miles Austin's role in the offense is increasing and Felix Jones continues to nurse a knee injury.

In another move, the Cowboys re-signed running back Chauncey Washington to their practice squad.

-- Charean Williams

Allen Rossum to sign?

The Cowboys have cut cornerback Cletis Gordon after only a week, prompting speculation that they are about to sign returner Allen Rossum. Rossum was cut by the 49ers to make room for Michael Crabtree.

Rossum, 33, ranks second in league history with 14,987 return yards. The 49ers made him inactive the past two weeks.

The Cowboys have lacked production from their punt returners. They have averaged 7.3 yards on 11 returns, including 10 for 8.0 yards by Patrick Crayton.

-- Charean Williams

Inactives

There are no surprises on the Cowboys' inactive list. Receiver Roy Williams (ribs), safety Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb) and running back Felix Jones (knee) did not make the trip. Safety Mike Hamlin (wrist), guard Montrae Holland, tackle Pat McQuistan and linebacker Curtis Johnson (hamstring) also will not play.

Miles Austin will start for Williams. Pat Watkins will start for Sensabaugh. 

-- Charean Williams

Cowboys cut OL

Not wanting to take only two running backs into Sunday's game, the Cowboys promoted Chauncy Washington back off the practice squad. They released center Duke Preston to make room for Washington.

The Cowboys did the same thing last week, moving Washington up to the 53-player roster Saturday, but got burned when the Lions claimed safety Marvin White. Washington played on special teams against the Broncos, making one tackle. He did not get in at running back as Marion Barber and Tashard Choice carried the load.

Running back Felix Jones (knee) is expected to return after the bye.

Preston's release means the Cowboys are comfortable with Andre Gurode (knee). Gurode said Friday he would start against the Chiefs.

-- Charean Williams

Felix, Roy, Sensabugh are likely out

Receiver Miles Austin and safety Pat Watkins are expected to start this week, and Tashard Choice and Marion Barber will have to carry the load at running back.

 

Starting safety Gerald Sensabaugh, who had surgery on his right thumb Monday, officially was ruled out of Sunday’s game. He said earlier this week that he hoped to return after the bye week, which is next week.

 

 Receiver Roy Williams (ribs) and running back Felix Jones (knee) have all but been ruled out. The Cowboys list them as doubtful on their official injury report, and they aren't expected to make the trip to Kansas City.

 

This will be the 12th of a possible 21 games that Jones has missed with injuries since the Cowboys made him a first-round pick last year. Williams, who was traded from Detroit last October, has not missed an NFL game since sitting out the final four games of the 2007 season with a knee injury.

 

Center Andre Gurode (knee) was limited in practice again Friday, and he is listed as questionable. But Gurode said Friday that he will play.

 

-- Charean Williams

Zimmmer's wife dies

Vikki Zimmer, the wife of former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, died unexpectedly Thursday in Cincinnati.

 

The Zimmer family is close friends with Cowboys secondary coach Dave Campo and his family.

 

The Zimmers were married for 27 years and had two daughters -- Corri and Marki -- and a son -- Adam, who is a defensive assistant in New Orleans.

 

“We are heartbroken to hear of this loss, and our hearts go out to Mike, Adam, Corri and Marki,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. “We remember Vikki for her vibrant love of life and her loving devotion to her family.”

 

-- Charean Williams

Fines for Ratliff, Spencer

Nose tackle Jay Ratliff was fined $7,500 for his roughing the passer penalty last week. The league ruled he unnecessarily made helmet-to-helmet contact with Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton. Outside linebacker Anthony Spencer was docked $5,000 for his roughing the passer penalty on Orton. Center Andre Gurode was not fined for his tripping penalty.

Cowboys players have been fined $47,500 so far this year.

Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady was fined $5,000 for his tripping penalty on Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

-- Charean Williams

 

Todd Haley wonders what might have been...

The KC coach and former Cowboys assistant believes had the snap gone horribly wrong in the playoff game against Seattle that things could have turned out much differently.

"I have great memories of Dallas. The one memory I have that’s not great is the Seattle game because I truly believed in my heart of hearts that if we had kicked that field goal and won the game that we were going to give some people, the Bears specifically, some problems and who knows how that year would have ended up."

Jeff Caplan

Todd Haley wonders what might have been...

The KC coach and former Cowboys assistant believes had the snap gone horribly wrong in the playoff game against Seattle that things could have turned out much differently.

"I have great memories of Dallas. The one memory I have that’s not great is the Seattle game because I truly believed in my heart of hearts that if we had kicked that field goal and won the game that we were going to give some people, the Bears specifically, some problems and who knows how that year would have ended up."

Jeff Caplan

Not looking good for Roy Williams

Coach Wade Phillips said Roy Williams' bruised ribs haven't progressed much and it looks like the Cowboys' No. 1 receiver won't play Sunday at Kansas City. That takes 11 of the Cowboys' 32 catches on the season out of the lineup. Third reciever Miles Austin, who has just five catches on the season, will take Roy's spot.

Also, Felix Jones (knee) will miss his second straight game with hopes of returning after the bye week. And starting strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb) will be out. Pat Watkins will take his spot.

Some good news is center Andre Gurode (knee) will be ready to go.

Jeff Caplan