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Cowboys LB Sean Lee Tears ACL at OTAs Today

Jason Garrett said the Cowboys oft-injured MLB Sean Lee suffered a knee injury in non-contact OTA drills today.

By Scott Jennings

Sean Lee is a very talented, hard working LB who has had some very bad luck with injuries going all the way back to his college days at Penn State.  He has not been able to complete a full 16 game season in his 4 years in the league due to various injuries.  Last season Lee missed 5 of the last 6 games of the season, including the Cowboys annual Week 17 playoff elimination game.

Lee was injured while covering a screen pass.  There was contact with rookie OG Zack Martin in the non-contact drill, and Lee came up limping.  Lee required help to get off the field, and it was initially reported to be a lower leg injury, possibly an ankle, Achilles, or foot.  When Head Coach Jason Garrett addressed the Dallas media following practice he revealed Lee would undergo an MRI on his left knee today at 5:45pm.  Multiple reports have surfaced saying the Cowboys are fearing the worst, and that Lee could have torn his ACL which might keep him out for a significant portion of the season, possibly the entire year.  Owner/President/GM Jerry Jones reportedly looked nauseous at the prospect of losing Lee for the year, with the depth they have behind him.  Lee previously tore the ACL in his right knee in 2008.

Here is some footage of the block by Zack Martin, that probably isn't the best way to start your career with a team. The Cowboys could also be getting a call from the NFLPA for contact during non-contact drills.

Robert Griffin III, who has experienced multiple ACL tears during his football career, had a short message for Lee. No one likes the Cowboys, but injuries are a terrible thing for anyone in football, and Sean Lee has been the most likable/least repulsive Cowboys player on their team for a while.(Possible Penn State bias alert)

Sean Lee signed a 6 year, $42.6 million dollar contract extension last summer that could be worth up to $51 million.  The Cowboys appear to have inserted language into the deal that will give them some cap relief if Sean Lee's pattern of missing games continues through his career.  There has been no word on exactly how much they would save if Lee is unable to play the entire year.

Sean Lee is an instrumental part of a Cowboys defense that has lost a lot of their best players recently.  DeMarcus Ware was cut due to his salary and then signed with the Broncos for a similar deal.  Anthony Spencer was re-signed but he is still recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee.  And everyone knows where DT Jason Hatcher ended up this offseason.  Dallas counts on Lee to be the London Fletcher of their defense, and the quarterback on the defense.  This is a huge loss for Dallas if it is Lee's ACL that is injured.

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