Dallas Cowboys rookie JJ Wilcox injures knee; set for MRI

Oct 20, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive back J.J. Wilcox (27) during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive back J.J. Wilcox (27) during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys face off against the Detroit Lions in Week 8, which is never an easy outing thanks to the presence of star wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

Even worse for the Cowboys is the news that starting safety J.J. Wilcox suffered a knee injury during practice and will need to undergo an MRI this afternoon.

The good news is that the injury is not feared to be season-ending.

From the team’s official website:

"Rookie J.J. Wilcox suffered a knee injury in Thursday’s practice and will undergo an MRI later in the afternoon. The Cowboys are fearing a possible MCL sprain but at this point, before the test results, it doesn’t appear to be a season-ending injury. The injury occurred in the red-zone drills when he battled tight end Gavin Escobar for a ball in the end zone and came down awkwardly on his knee."

If the MCL sprain is confirmed, Wilcox will miss a few weeks to recover.

Unfortunately for Dallas, that may mean facing off against the Lions and needing to figure out a way to stop Calvin Johnson without a starter in the secondary.