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Cowboys CB Orlando Scandrick out for year with torn ACL, MCL

The Cowboys' top corner will miss the 2015 season after injuring his knee during practice.

By Alexis Chassen Updated
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys suffered a big blow to their defense Tuesday when top corner Orlando Scandrick tore his ACL and MCL during practice, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.

The injury occurred when Scandrick tried to tackle rookie Lucky Whitehead, who then landed on Scandrick's right knee, per David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. Scandrick was carted off the field and later underwent an MRI to confirm the injury.

The eight-year veteran was hoping to build on a career with the Cowboys that includes 322 combined tackles, 9.5 sacks and seven interceptions. The team had faith in Scandrick's performance ahead of the 2015 season and signed him to a contract extension in May that keeps him in Dallas through 2019. The extension added one year and $9.5 million.

Scandrick's injury is the latest in a string of injury losses around the league. Most recently, Packers receiver Jordy Nelson tore his ACL in a preseason game against the Steelers and will now miss the whole season. Unlike Nelson, Scandrick's injury did not occur during a game and instead happened during training camp practice.

His teammates were also visibly upset after the injury. Quarterback Tony Romo, who had a pass picked off earlier in practice by Scandrick, sent him well wishes:

Losing Scandrick is bad news for the Cowboys' secondary, which struggled last year but has been off to a strong start this preseason. Morris Claiborne, who is coming off an injury-shortened season, is expected to take over for Scandrick in the starting lineup.

Scandrick is taking the news about as well as he could, and is already looking ahead to his return.

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