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IRVING — Nose guard Jay Ratliff has played like the Pro Bowl player he is. This week, the Dallas Cowboys just hope he plays.
Ratliff injured his right knee in practice Thursday, Cowboys coach Wade Phillips revealed Friday. Ratliff did not practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks with a sprain. “It’s something we think will get well, but how quickly it will get well we don’t know for sure,” Phillips said.Junior Siavii, a fourth-year veteran, would replace Ratliff in the starting lineup. Siavii played 16 plays last week against Atlanta and made seven tackles. He has 15 for the season, with two quarterback pressures. Starting defensive end Marcus Spears, who spent some time working at nose tackle during the team’s 2008 training camp, practiced at nose tackle Friday. He would backup Siavii if Ratliff can’t play. Defensive end Jason Hatcher would replace Ratliff in the team’s nickel and dime packages.“Junior played well last game, and I think he’s improved as we’ve played each game,” Phillips said. “So he’s ready to play.” But he’s not Ratliff, who has made 31 tackles and two sacks with 10 quarterback pressures. “He’s a Pro Bowl-caliber player, and he’s playing at that level this year again, so if he weren’t able to play, it would set you back some,” Phillips said. “He’s such a good pass rusher. You just don’t find that at the nose guard position. A lot of defensive tackles don’t rush as well as he does either.” Returner Allen Rossum, who is out 2-4 weeks with a strained hamstring, is the only other player who missed practice Friday.Charean Williams 817-390-7760
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