Cornerback Mike Jenkins is prepares to play his first game of the season against the Seahawks Sunday still unsure about his role in the revamped Cowboys defense.
The former first round pick and former Pro Bowler, who was sidelined through out training camp and the opener because of offseason shoulder surgery, will return as a reserve thanks to the team’s decisions in the offseason to sign free agent Brandon Carr and draft LSU standout Morris Claiborne.
Jenkins doesn’t know how much he will play or in what role. But he wants it known he has no bitterness from what was an admittedly difficult offseason when he stayed away from all volunteer workouts and his agent Drew Rosenhaus asked for a trade.
He just wants to move on.
“Honestly I don’t want to even talk about what happened,” Jenkins said. “I just want to move on, move on past it. There’s no bitterness, there’s no nothing. It is what it is. The only thing I can try to do right now and do for myself and my team is try to help out, so however that role is and whatever they have planned is what I have to do.
“If it’s anything else both sides are going to have to bite the bullet because feuding ain’t going to do nothing for none of us.
Jenkins said his shoulder feels fine after a little contact in practice on Wednesday and there are no limitations. He is ready to go. He just doesn’t know how much he is going to play.
“I’ll definitely be back on the field,” Jenkins said. “How? When? I don’t know yet. I can’t get that answer. I don’t have any communication with the coaches to know what they want to do. I’m just there. I don’t want to be no distraction or anything like that, so I don’t want to make it seem like I’m that way. Whatever they come to me and tell me they want me to do, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Considering Jenkins is in the final year of his contract, his reduced role could have an impact on his future earnings if he stays here or goes somewhere else. He said he can’t worry about that now.
“That’s not my problem,” Jenkins said. “Being concerned about anything won’t
help me do nothing. My job is to come out there and do what I have to do and
continue to do that no matter what.”
Clarence Hill
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