One out, one in for receiving corps.

[This is a little late, but I took some time away from the computer to enjoy the holiday.]

According to the Cowboys’ official site, T.O. definitely won’t be playing against Washington on Sunday, but Terry Glenn might.

Glenn has missed the first 15 games because of knee-related issues, but he’s gradually worked his way back, and he may see some action on Sunday, according to head coach Wade Phillips.

"He ran a lot of go routes after we did his workout, 10 or 15 in a row, and some other routes. It was encouraging," Phillips said. "That's why I'm encouraged enough to say maybe this week we're going to see him on the field."

That’s welcome news, considering the fact that the timetable on T.O.’s return is up in the air for now.

As I said in an earlier post, Jacksonville’s David Garrard suffered a high ankle sprain, missed only three games, and since he‘s come back, may be on the best stretch of his career.
But, on the flip side, Anthony Henry suffered the same injury in Week 4 and, though he came back after the Cowboys’ bye in Week 8, he was still limited for the next couple of weeks.

However, Phillips is cautiously optimistic that Owens could be back by the time Dallas starts prepping for their first playoff game, judging by the MRI and his past injury history.

"Looking at his background, after the MRI and some of those things they tell me, I think he'll be back. I know he's tough and I think he's a fast healer and all those things. I'm certainly hopeful but I don't know if confident is the word for me."

No one can forget how he stubbornly came back from a late-season injury to play in the Super Bowl while he was with the Eagles, and considering that this injury is a little less serious than that one, seeing him in the divisional round game won’t be a surprise, and frankly, might be expected (not that he‘s Superman or anything, but he takes care of his body a whole heck of a lot better than many do).

He could very well be held out of that divisional round game if he isn’t 100%, just for the sake of looking at the bigger picture and not risking his health and availability afterwards.
But, even if he’s held out or limited for that weekend, it’s certainly encouraging that Glenn could be in there to help pick up some of the slack.

T.O. injury update.

The injury that T.O. suffered in the second quarter is reportedly a high ankle sprain.

In all likelihood, or if Wade Phillips is looking big picture, we won't see T.O. next Sunday at Washington.

This is one good reason why it's good to have that first-round bye, because with two weekends off to heal, he'll hopefully be fine for the divisional round game, but that might be wishful thinking.

Jacksonville QB David Garrard suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 7 and missed the next three games, so Owens could potentially miss even the divisional playoff game if his is similar to Garrard's.

It's too early to assume or worry, so let's wait and see what the prognosis is.

Quick Take: Dallas at Carolina.

After seeing their seven-game win streak come to a abrupt halt against Philadelphia last Sunday, the Cowboys look to not only get back on track tonight, but take a big step towards clinching home field in the NFC when they take on the Carolina Panthers tonight.

For Carolina, the stakes are pretty high, as they need a win to keep their slim postseason hopes alive.

Dallas is 6-0 on the road this season, and the signs point towards the Cowboys rebounding from their atrocious offensive performance last Sunday in the 10-6 loss to the Eagles.

Dallas is averaging 32.2 points per game on the road thus far, with four of Tony Romo’s seven 300-yard games coming on the road, including a 35 of 44, 302-yard, two-touchdown afternoon in the 28-27 comeback win over the Lions in Week 14.

After shooting blanks last week against Philly with his newest love interest, Jessica Simpson, in attendance, Romo has to keep his head on straight tonight if the Cowboys aren’t to lose their hold on home field. He’s playing with a sore thumb, which could affect him if he chooses to let it, but you know what they say about molehills and mountains.

The offense should have the chance to move the ball against the Panthers, even though they shut down the Seahawks last Sunday. Matt Hasselbeck threw for 274 yards, so a big night is there for the taking if Romo wants it.

T.O. hasn’t been a factor lately, making only five catches in the last two games, but the last time he had a dry spell like this, earlier in the season, he busted out of it by going over 100 yards in five of the next six games.

More important than getting the ball to T.O., though, is utilizing the run, which has been completely invisible at many times this season, both due to the great success that Romo has had throwing the ball and because the Cowboys have had to play from behind on several occasions.

As for the Panthers offense, it’s led by none other than Matt Moore, the rookie QB that Dallas cut at the end of the preseason instead of keeping on the roster. The Panthers snapped him up before the Cowboys could put him on the practice squad, and with injuries ineffectiveness at the position, Moore has gotten the chance to see the field much, much quicker than he would have in Dallas.

He performed well in his first career start last Sunday, going 19 of 27 for 208 yards in the 13-10 win over Seattle. His offensive line made things a lot easier for him, not allowing him to be sacked at all, so it’ll be on the Dallas pass rush to wreak havoc and rattle the rookie, and leave the hugs and handshakes for before and after the game.

But, Moore might not have to worry about having the world on his shoulders tonight, as the Dallas defense hasn’t been as adept at stopping the run in the last three weeks as they had been for the better part of the season, and they’ll have their hands full with Carolina’s double-De’s, DeAngelo Williams and DeShaun Foster, who haven’t been consistent week in, week out, but aren’t to be taken lightly.

Tonight’s game is being broadcast by the NFL Network, and it starts at 7:15, which means it’s time to head to Applebee’s, Chili’s, Friday’s, or your nearest sports bar, go to the neighbor’s house, or, if you’re lucky, watch the game from the comforts of your living room.

Which one will I be doing? Well, considering I plan to provide periodical updates of the game on here, I’ll let you guess.