Cowboys coach Jason Garrett ruled out nose tackle Jay Ratliff (ankle) and center Phil Costa (back) as players he expects to participate in Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay. Both are starters who have played a played a combined three snaps _ all by Costa, in the season opener _ during the team’s first two games this season.
Their extended absences have contributed to struggles in continuity in both lines for the Cowboys (1-1).
“We don’t anticipate those guys playing this week. But we’re hopeful they can be back (soon),” Garrett said.
Asked if the team had a timetable for either player’s return, Garrett said: “We really don’t … We evaluate these things almost on a day-to-day basis.”
Garrett said Ratliff “hasn’t had any setbacks” since sustaining a high ankle sprain in an Aug. 25 pre-season game against St. Louis. Costa initially tweaked his back in training camp and missed three pre-season games before aggravting the injury in the season opener against the Giants.
_ Jimmy Burch
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