Center Phil Costa expected to miss a third consecutive start

Center Phil Costa made it through only three plays of the season opener before he re-injured his back. He will miss a third start this week as offensive coordinator Bill Callahan said Wednesday that Costa isn’t ready to make his return.

The Cowboys have their bye week after the Monday night game against the Bears.

“We’re going to try to get him through the bye week and see where he is,” Callahan said. “Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go for the bye and get him some reps [in practice next week].”

Ryan Cook, obtained in a trade with the Dolphins less than a week before the season opener, has allowed one sack and has no penalties. However, he has been culpable in some of the team’s problems with false starts. They have 12 this season, nine of them committed by tackles Tyron Smith and Doug Free.

“He’s a solid performer,” Callahan said. “All these guys continue to get better. But we’re asking him to do a lot of things that are maybe just a little bit different than what he’s accustomed to doing. So he’s adjusted, and he’s adapted pretty well.”

-- Charean Williams

Twitter: @NFLCharean