IRVING, Texas While Sports Illustrated writer Peter King predictsJay Novacek might not play all season, don't be surprised if thefive-time Pro Bowl tight end attempts to play in the season openerSept. 2 in Chicago.
"He doesn't like to miss (games). The only way he's going tomiss is if he's really hurting," tight end coach Robert Ford said."I like his chances. I might be (crazy), but I know he's verycompetitive. I know he's shooting for the first game."
Coach Barry Switzer is less optimistic: "(Trainer) Jim Maurersaid there's a possibility Novacek might try to do some conditioningnext week. . . . He has pain when he continually runs right now, orhe'd be out there."
Novacek ran for 20 minutes on the treadmill earlier this week.Regardless of when Novacek returns, the Cowboys will be forced tolimit his playing time.
"We'll try to get 10 to 20 plays out of him every game. Thatevery game could be the eighth game, the 10th game or it could be thefirst game. We just don't know," Ford said.
"We'd love to have the man on the field because his presencecauses problems for a defense. But we're also aware when you have anagging back, he can't do some of the things he's done."
Backup Eric Bjornson, whom Ford calls "baby Novacek," has beenhampered by a hamstring injury.
"His progress from his injury has come along well. We're hopingto get some practice time out of him next week," Ford said.
"It's safe to say he should play some in Chicago."
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