IRVING, Texas – Right tackle Marc Colombo “has every intention of playing this weekend” after testing his surgically repaired right knee.
Colombo practiced Wednesday for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic surgery Aug. 16 to remove five loose particles from the knee. He was encouraged how his knee felt during the practice and how it responded since then.
“I just wanted to try and get back out there and get moving and hit some people,” Colombo said. “We’ve been doing a lot of good rehab and working my leg and getting myself back to where I need to be, and I just needed to go out there and thud up with some people. That was an area of concern yesterday and I felt pretty good.”
Left guard Kyle Kosier, who sat out the season opener with a sprained MCL suffered Aug. 18, avoided interviews Thursday. All signs are that he’ll also be in the starting lineup Sunday against Chicago.
“[Colombo] speaks on my behalf,” Kosier cracked as the media left the locker room.
Colombo acknowledges rushing back from a broken fibula and ankle surgery to play in the playoffs last season. He readily admits that he performed poorly in the lopsided loss to the Vikings, when Minnesota defensive end Ray Edwards wreaked havoc in the Cowboys’ backfield.
This is a different case, according to Colombo. He’s been patient with the rehab process, as painful as it was to sit out the season opener. He doesn’t anticipate his knee causing problems the rest of the season.
“Late in your career, you want to make sure you’re 100 percent,” Colombo said. “Last year it was a playoff race. I did everything I could. I felt like I was ready. It was on me. I should have played better. I didn’t come out and play the way I should have.
“This year I tried everything to get back for last week and it didn’t work out. I’m hoping I can really help my team now.”