NFL Rumors: Cowboys LB Sean Lee may not miss the entire season

Sep 22, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee (50) in game action against the St. Louis Rams at AT&T Stadium. The Dallas Cowboys beat the St. Louis Rams 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee (50) in game action against the St. Louis Rams at AT&T Stadium. The Dallas Cowboys beat the St. Louis Rams 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Shortly after the first day of OTAs got underway on Tuesday, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee went down with a knee injury on a play in which he was driven to the ground by first-round pick Zack Martin. Following being helped off the field, Lee had an MRI conducted on the injury that revealed a torn ACL, which is generally an indication that the player’s entire season is over.

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Or is it?

As NFL insider Ian Rapoport so keenly pointed out on Wednesday night, the Cowboys, despite apparently knowing everything about the severity of Lee’s injury, have yet to place him on IR. He compared it Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram who suffered a knee injury nearly around the same time last year, and ultimately ended up returning at the end of the season to help the team in their playoff run.


Of course, a scenario in which Lee does return to the team this season would more than likely entail the Cowboys flirting with a successful playoff run. Given the medical advancements today, Lee has ample time to begin his recovery and if he’s healthy enough to come back in late December to help try and get rid of the team’s recent playoff woes, then it’s completely plausible to see him this season at some point.