Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys CB Morris Claiborne hopes to play soon

Published Aug. 18, 2015 12:05 p.m. ET

foxsports

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne has been nothing short of a disappointment since the Cowboys traded up in the first-round of the 2012 draft to select him. After undergoing surgery on a ruptured patellar tendon this offseason, Claiborne is progressing in his recovery and he hopes to be back out there soon.

Claiborne sat out the Cowboys' preseason opener against the Chargers. Although he felt like he was able to play in the game, sitting out was all part of the coaching staff's plan for him.

“The expression that the training staff uses is it’s a long race, it’s not a 100-yard dash for me at this point,” Claiborne said to reporters per Todd Archer of ESPN. “I’m just taking my time, getting better, getting healthier. I’m feeling good, running around, but you know these preseason games aren’t really going to mean anything to me. Once they release me to go play, I’ll go play. But once they hold me back, I’m not fighting anything. I’m letting this boat go. I’ll be ready.”

Claiborne stopped short of guaranteeing that he will give it a go during the preseason, but he doesn't seem to think that playing in the preseason is a precursor to his participation in the regular season.

“I don’t have no bad complaints about how I’m playing from the coaching staff. Everybody seems to be pleased with where I’m at,” Claiborne said. “I’m pleased with where I’m at, and whether I take a preseason snap or not, I’ll be ready to play for that home opener.”

Claiborne struggled before being placed on injured reserve in 2014. When he returns to the field, he faces an uphill battle to climb back up the Cowboys' depth chart at cornerback. Brandon Carr has struggled, but he presents a better fit for the Cowboys on the outside in their scheme. Rookie Byron Jones will also challenge for a higher spot than Claiborne on the depth chart after impressing throughout camp so far.

(h/t ESPN)