Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff suffered what the team is calling an ankle sprain against the Rams. He left the locker room on crutches with no comment to reporters.
According to a source, the initial diagnosis is a high ankle sprain that would could sideline him from four to six weeks and certainly keep him out of the Sept. 5 season opener against the New York Giants. The Cowboys will do more tests on Ratliff on Sunday to get a final determination.
"Well, yeah,'' responded owner Jerry Jones when asked if he was concerned about Ratliff's availability. "We're concerned about any of these injuries getting down where we're within 10 days of playing so would have to be concerned about it."
It's a huge setback for Ratliff and the Cowboys. He has been sidelined throughout the offseason and through the first two preseason games with plantar fasciiitis.
A source said the Cowboys were only being cautious with Ratliff regarding the foot injury, noting that he could have played on it if this were the regular season.
But the potential high ankle sprain "is a much bigger deal", the source said.
Clarence Hill
Twitter @clarencehilljr
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