Cowboys LB Sean Lee likely lost for season

Published Oct. 23, 2012 8:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Dallas Cowboys likely will be without starting linebacker Sean Lee for the rest of the season because of a toe injury, a source has confirmed to FoxSports.

Lee still was consulting with a specialist Tuesday evening, but the Cowboys fear he will have to undergo surgery on his right big toe.

ESPNDallas.com was first to report the story Tuesday. A source close to Lee told FoxSports that an MRI test showed Lee suffered a plantar plate tear, and that the undersurface of the toe was completely torn. The injury is similar to what happened to running back Felix Jones in 2008. He missed the rest of that season but was able to make a full recovery and contribute to a playoff run in '09.

Veteran Dan Connor likely will replace Lee in the starting lineup next to Bruce Carter. And the Cowboys probably will look to sign another linebacker in the coming days.

They agreed to terms with safety Charlie Peprah on Tuesday to bolster the back end of the defense. Losing Lee is a major setback as the Cowboys prepare to play games against the Giants, Falcons and Eagles.

Lee, in his third year, had emerged as a team leader, and was on pace to break a team record for tackles.