Barry Church to play with carbon fiber brace on fractured forearm

Safety J.J. Wilcox is certain to miss Thursday's game against Minnesota Vikings with a deep thigh bruise, making Barry Church's return to the lineup timely, convenient and necessary.

Wilcox was only in the starting lineup because Church suffered fractured foreman in the Oct. 30 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Church underwent surgery to put a plate in his forearm, causing him to miss past four games.

But he is back and ready to play against the Vikings.

"It's crazy," Church said with a laugh. "We can never be at full strength. One goes down, the other one pops back in there. I feel good. I stayed in shape. I'm just excited to get back on the field and help my teammates."

Church said he will wear a hard carbon fiber brace on his foreman for protection. The Cowboys add extra padding to soften it so it will pass the inspection of game officials and he won't get accused of playing with a club.

He has yet to tackle with it, but he said he has no limitations and won't be held back.

"It's a crazy looking device but it snaps on my arm," Church said. "It's pretty hard, but we have to cover it up with some soft stuff. It only goes to my wrist. I have full range of emotion. My finger are loose. My hands are loose. I will be able to wrap up."

This story was originally published November 28, 2016 at 3:20 PM with the headline "Barry Church to play with carbon fiber brace on fractured forearm."