Updating a previous item, it looks like the Dallas Cowboys received some good news regarding starting middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens. The team originally thought Hitchens suffered a season-ending knee injury Saturday night against the Oakland Raiders.
While the injury itself is still severe, it looks like Dallas will get its starting linebacker back at some point in the first half of the regular season.
According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Hitchens suffered a tibial plateau fracture in his right knee.
“Starting middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens suffered a tibial plateau fracture in his right knee and will need eight weeks to recover, according to a source. The team feared Saturday he suffered a torn ACL, which would have been season ending,” the ESPN scribe reported.
Hitchens, 25, recorded 78 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 16 games (all starts) last season. With him sidelined for the next eight weeks, veteran Justin Durant figures to take over as the Cowboys’ starting middle linebacker. Then again, second-year pro Jaylon Smith has looked tremendous in two preseason games. Dallas could very well decide just to roll with him moving forward.