Cowboys lose Williams
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from October 1994.
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"He'll have the opportunity to play again but I doubt it'll be this year," Dallas coach Barry Switzer said after visiting Williams in the hospital. "In my opinion he's going to need reconstruction of the right knee. Thank God he's alive."
Williams sustained a damaged right knee in the early-morning accident, as well as a broken rib, torn ligaments in his left thumb and facial lacerations that required plastic surgery. An MRI test on the knee indicated two torn ligaments (medial collateral and posterior cruciate) and a torn muscle. A decision regarding knee surgery will be made after four to six weeks.
The only good news for the Cowboys following their 28-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals was the status of quarterback Troy Aikman, who suffered a concussion in the first quarter.
"I'll play on Sunday against Cincinnati," said Aikman, who underwent an MRI that was negative. "This is one of the minor ones (concussion) that I've had."
Aikman, who has had four concussions with the Cowboys and six overall going back to his high school days in Oklahoma, will play behind a patchwork offensive line.
Rookie Larry Allen will replace Williams at right tackle. It's a position Allen has never played. He started at left tackle earlier in the season.
Also nursing injuries on the offensive line are left tackle Mark Tuinei, center Mark Stepnoski, and Nate Newton. They are expected to play. Tight end Jay Novacek will likely miss the game against the Bengals because of a possibly torn abdominal muscle, giving Aikman two less veterans in the offensive line.
"I'm playing, I don't care if we have five high school guys out there," said Aikman. Coleman Bell will be activated from the practice squad to take Novacek's place if needed.
Williams was spared further injury because of the air bag in his Mercedes.
"It was a sad morning for all of us," said scouting director Larry Lacewell. "We're fortunate the injury wasn't worse."
Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith arrived at the scene of the accident on the North Dallas Tollway shortly after it occurred about 3 a.m.
