Rex Ryan: Brother in tears over losing LB Lee

Published Oct. 25, 2012 8:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

There's no doubting the Cowboys lost one of their most valuable players this week when they announced Wednesday that Sean Lee was being placed on injured reserve with a toe injury.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was so upset over losing the team's leading tackler that he was driven to tears, according to his brother, New York Jets coach Rex Ryan.

While discussing Jets linebacker Bart Scott's toe injury on Wednesday, Rex Ryan said, "My brother was crying, literally, on the phone because they just lost their great linebacker to a toe injury."

Rex Ryan, who is known for delivering witty remarks, could have been exaggerating. But knowing how valuable Lee is to the Cowboys' defensive game plan, he might have been telling the truth.

Rob Ryan likely will give his side of the phone conversation on Friday, when he usually speaks with media members at Valley Ranch.