In his press conference on Monday, Jason Garrett said he was "optimistic, but we also have to have contingency plans in place, we've had a lot of different discussions as to what to do," when asked about replacing Orlando Scandrick. To that point, the team had yet to hear medical results for after Scandrick's ankle injury. Today, the Cowboys made a move to address the depleted secondary.
Veteran cornerback Frank Walker, last seen with the Tennessee Titans, impressed the coaching staff enough in a workout Tuesday to be signed to the 53 man roster. Walker is an eight year veteran, who was released by Tennessee during the final round of cuts. To make room for the new corner, the team released TE Martin Rucker. Rucker was the fourth tight end who received a chance to play when Martellus Bennett suffered a high ankle sprain against Minnesota in the preseason.
In another roster move, Dallas released FB and converted linebacker Isaiah Greenhouse from their practice squad. The move could have been to make room for Rucker to return to the PS, where he spent most of 2010.
Following these moves, the Cowboys continued to adjust the roster by bringing back fullback Tony Fiammetta. Fiammetta was signed briefly after final cuts, but released prior to the Jets game. "Saavy" Stephen Jones won't be on the hook for Fiammetta or Walker should they be released down the line, as contracts are guaranteed for the year only if a player is on the week one roster.
The player that the Cowboys released to make room for the fullback, WR Laurent Robinson, will get paid a year's worth of salary. The outcast from the Rams must not have dazzled in his short time at Valley Ranch. Or maybe the Cowboys watched all the receivers who beat him out in The Lou drop pass after pass on Sunday. That's right, Laurent Robinson is going to be paid almost three-quarter's of a million dollars for attending two practice sessions.
The team is hopeful that CB Terence Newman can return from his groin injury this week, as they target his and Bennett's return to practice on Wednesday.