Cowboys say Williams sustained a bruised shoulder, likely to miss rest of

DALLAS — Cowboys receiver Roy Williams probably won't be sidelined long after suffering a left shoulder injury Thursday night.

Williams suffered a left shoulder contusion when he collided with cornerback Orlando Scandrick in the late stages of a practice at Cowboys Stadium in which the players did not wear shoulder pads.

The team did not set a specific timetable for Williams' return, stating in a news release that he will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.

Williams might not play another down during the preseason, but owner/general manager Jerry Jones strongly hinted that the receiver would be available for the Cowboys' Sept. 13 season opener.

``I'm not implying that we have a long-winded thing here,'' Jones said during an appearance on KRLD-FM 105.3. ``Based on our review here, we're talking about a very short time span. I don't know that he'll go Saturday ... but he'll be out there real quick.

``We had quite a concern there after practice. Right now, it is just a bruise, and we'll kind of see how that restricts him as far as the next few days, this weekend and into next week.''

Jones said the Cowboys would not consider signing a veteran receiver because they do not expect Williams to be out an extended period.

While Williams' diagnosis was cause for relief after it was originally feared that he might have broken a collarbone, it could be problematic if he misses several practices.

After catching only 19 passes in 10 games following last season's trade from Detroit, Williams worked hard this off-season to establish a rapport with quarterback Tony Romo, something Williams acknowledges is still a work in progress.

Cowboys sign linebacker:

Thin at outside linebacker after losing rookie Brandon Williams for the season to a knee injury, the Cowboys signed Tearrius George, who spent part of last season on the practice squad and was released by Miami earlier this week.

George had a productive preseason for the Cowboys in 2008 but was signed off their practice squad by New Orleans on Dec. 4. He signed with the Dolphins in February after he was cut by the Saints.

The Cowboys originally signed George after he had 33 tackles and eight sacks for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.

Staff Writer Todd Archer contributed to this report.

Dallas Cowboys receiver Roy Williams suffered a left shoulder contusion when he collided with cornerback Orlando Scandrick during practice at Cowboys Stadium on Thursday.

———

(c) 2009, The Dallas Morning News.