Starting LG Ron Leary has no plans to split snaps

Jerry Jones said on his weekly radio show that La’el Collins had earned some “real” playing time. That was news to starting left guard Ron Leary, who doesn’t plan on splitting reps as Collins and Mackenzy Bernadeau did in Leary’s absence Sunday.

“For me? Nah. Nah. I’m not coming out for no series,” Leary said Tuesday.

Jones praised Leary’s work in the opener when Leary played 52 of 71 snaps before leaving with an injured groin that kept him out against the Eagles.

“I think I did all right,” Leary said. “There are always things you can do better, but I think I had a good game. It’s definitely something I want to build on.”

Collins played 43 snaps and Bernadeau 42 in Leary’s spot Sunday. Bernadeau had three penalties but did not give up a sack. Collins did not have a penalty and did not give up a sack.

The Cowboys gave up three sacks, including one that led to Tony Romo fracturing his left collarbone, and the line was called for nine accepted penalties.

“I can’t say my absence made a difference,” Leary said. “But I think because we’ve played together so long that anytime anybody comes missing out of that group, it might shake things up a little bit.”

Leary expects to return this week.

“That’s the goal,” Leary said. “I was a disappointment I couldn’t go last week. They just felt like I needed a little more rest.

“…I just listened to the trainers. They just said they didn’t want me to go out there and aggravate it and instead of missing one week, miss three or four. So it was a smart decision.”

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 6:51 PM.