The Dallas Cowboys have been bit by the injury bug during the first week of training camp, and so far most of the injuries have been at the offensive line and to first round draft pick Morris Claiborne who has a slight MCL sprain and will miss a week of practice.
Heading into Saturday's practice the Cowboys were down 15 players due to injuries, but they were down five more before practice ended:
• Miles Austin broke off training late in the afternoon with apparent hamstring trouble. It's not assumed to be too serious (Stephen Jones said "we're not concerned"), but with Austin and hamstrings, you never know.
• John Phillips injured his ankle midway through practice. He sat out for a bit but came back with a taped-up ankle, only to leave for the locker room later. No news yet on his status, but that potentially leaves the Cowboys with just three healthy tight ends.
• Marcus Spears was tested for a possible concussion. With Ratliff already out and Hatcher sidelined with a groin injury, the Cowboys appear suddenly thin along the defensive line.
• Running back Lance Dunbar left practice with an apparent hamstring injury. With Phillip Tanner undergoing surgery for a broken bone in Dallas, that leaves the Cowboys with just three healthy running backs.
• Dez Bryant caused repeated scares when he went to the trainers on the sidelines to have his calves and arm checked out, but he at least seems to not have suffered any lingering effects.
These do not seem to be too serious, but having so many players missing chunks of practice has to be concerning for a team that is trying to make a Super Bowl run.
For more training camp coverage of the Cowboys, check out Blogging The Boys as well as this SB Nation Dallas StoryStream.