The Dallas Cowboys have lost sixth-round draft choice Bob Slowikowski, a tight end from Virginia Tech, for the entire season.

Slowikowski tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee during a Tuesday practice session while participating in a non-contact one-on-one passing drill. As he made a cut, Slowikowski's knee buckled, and a subsequent MRI confirmed the damage.

He becomes the second rookie leaguewide to be lost for his rookie season because of a serious knee injury sustained during an offseason practice. San Diego fifth-round pick Terry Charles, a wide receiver from Portland State, suffered a torn ACL last month.

The 211th player chosen last month, Slowikowski probably will sign a "split" contract with the Cowboys now. A "split" contract means that a player receives a lower base salary if he is not on the active roster. The "split" salary for a rookie in 2002, according to the new collective bargaining extension, is $130,000.

Slowikowski is regarded as an aggressive blocker, particularly in short yardage, but an unpolished receiver. He played in 43 games for the Hokies and started 13 of them. For his career at Virginia Tech, he had 12 catches for 286 yards and one touchdown, and never posted more than four receptions in a season.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.