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Monday, August 11
 
All-Pro lineman Allen's ankle acting up

Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys: Offensive lineman Larry Allen missed practice Monday because of a swollen right ankle, another possible setback for the seven-time Pro Bowler who played just five games last season.

"I don't think that he has an ankle problem, but I am concerned about him," coach Bill Parcells said. "He has to get his stamina to the point where he can play more than a few plays."

Allen's right ankle was heavily wrapped while he worked out with a trainer on the side during the team's only workout Monday. The 6-foot-3, 335-pound lineman did stretching exercises and rode a stationary bicycle.

Allen limped noticeably as he left the field after practice. He refused to answer questions.

Surgery on his left ankle ended Allen's 2002 season. He had been limited in summer workouts before the season because of shoulder surgery on his left rotator cuff.

Allen played 18 snaps in the Cowboys' preseason opener Saturday at Arizona. Parcells and owner Jerry Jones said there was no indication after the game he was hurt.

Parcells said Monday that the ankle "just puffed up."

"When he's been in there, he's been OK. Hopefully, we can progress from here," Parcells said. "I'm hoping he can sustain enough during the rest of camp and get enough time in preseason games to get himself ready to go."

Also, free agent defensive end Eric Ogbogu signed Monday with the Cowboys, who also waived three players and said rookie center Al Johnson will miss the season because of cartilage damage in his right knee.

Ogbogu was the sixth-round draft pick by the New York Jets in 1998, when Parcells coached there.

Offensive lineman Marques McFadden, receiver DeVeren Johnson and defensive end Derrius Monroe were cut. The moves put the Cowboys' camp roster at 80 players, including 14 offensive linemen and nine receivers.

Parcells said Al Johnson, the second-round draft pick and projected starter, will be placed on the injured reserve list when the team has to cut its roster to 65 players in two weeks.

Johnson was injured in practice Aug. 2. He had surgery Friday after tests revealed the damage in his knee was worse than expected.

Gennaro DiNapoli, who started every game for Tennessee last season, will likely take over as the starting center. He signed with the Cowboys last week.

Washington Redskins: The Redskins, coming off an embarrassing performance by the run defense in the exhibition opener, signed defensive tackle James Cannida on Monday.

Cannida started seven games with Indianapolis last season and spent the previous four years with Tampa Bay. The Colts released him to clear salary cap room in February.

The Redskins starters allowed former teammate Stephen Davis to run for 61 yards on five carries in Saturday night's 20-0 loss at Carolina. Davis finished with 74 yards on seven carries, all in the first quarter.

The Redskins have been juggling their starting line since releasing Dan Wilkinson on the second day of training camp. The team had wanted Wilkinson to take a pay cut, and the two sides couldn't agree on the parameters of a new contract.

Wilkinson has been in contact with other teams, but the Redskins have said they would be willing to re-sign him if a deal could be reached.

Brandon Noble and Jermaine Haley started at tackle, and Peppi Zellner and Renaldo Wynn started on the defensive line against Carolina. Linemen Bruce Smith and Regan Upshaw, who both had offseason knee surgeries, stayed home as a precaution.

Detroit Lions: The Lions activated linebacker Brian Williams and safety Corey Harris from the injured list Monday.

Guard Ray Brown, who had been excused from the first two weeks of camp, also joined the team for Monday's workouts.

"It's always good to get guys back on the field," coach Steve Mariucci said. "They are going to be limited in what we have them doing for a few more days, but they are able to get the pads on and do some things."

Williams, expected to compete with rookie Boss Bailey for a starting job at outside linebacker, missed the final 13 games of last season with a broken leg.

"It feels great to be out there -- even if I can't do much right now, it is better than running conditioning sprints all day," he said. "The leg feels good, but I haven't done a lot yet. We're going to take things pretty slow, so I don't know if I'll play this weekend or not."

Brown is an 18-year veteran who played for Mariucci in San Francisco.

Indianapolis Colts: The team re-signed rookie free agent Montrell Lowe on Monday, two months after releasing him, as they searched for depth at running back.

Lowe played college football at Purdue and signed with the Colts as an undrafted rookie in April. He was released in June.

Also Monday, the Colts placed defensive back Darrell Rideaux on the injured-waived list.

Indianapolis expected to have a deep crop of running backs this season, but injuries have depleted that depth.

Dominic Rhodes has practiced sparingly since his left shoulder popped out of place three times on the second day of training camp. He missed last season after tearing a ligament in his right knee. Rhodes, who set the NFL record for undrafted rookies by rushing for 1,104 yards in 2001, said Monday his knee ``is not right.''

The Colts also have lost James Mungro and Ricky Williams to injuries.

Mungro entered Saturday's preseason game with a bruised shoulder and left with bruised ribs, which are expected to keep him out 2-to-3 weeks.

Williams sprained a ligament in his right knee Saturday and is also expected to miss three weeks.

That left the Colts with only two healthy halfbacks -- Edgerrin James, the two-time NFL rushing champ who detests preseason football, and Brian Allen -- for Friday night's game against Seattle before Lowe signed.




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