<
>

Cowboys' Sean Lee ruled out for Sunday because of concussion

IRVING, Texas -- Sean Lee has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which means the Dallas Cowboys' linebacker will go through a sixth straight season of not having played every game.

Lee suffered a concussion in the third quarter of last week’s overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It is the second concussion he has had in a five-week span. His first came Oct. 4 against the New Orleans Saints.

Lee did not play last season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, missed five games in 2013 with hamstring and neck injuries, 10 games with a toe injury in 2012, one game in 2011 with a dislocated wrist and two games with a hamstring strain as a rookie.

Lee said on multiple times during the week he was feeling better, but he was not cleared to play against the Buccaneers.

Lee isn’t the only linebacker battling injury. Rolando McClain did not practice Friday because of foot and hand injuries and is listed as questionable. So is Anthony Hitchens, because of an ankle injury, however, he went through a limited portion of practice for the first time this week.

With Lee out, Andrew Gachkar should move into the starting lineup and could see considerable action in the sub-package defense.

Defensive tackle Nick Hayden is questionable with ankle injuries, but he said he expects to play.

Wide receiver Brice Butler will miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury.

Dez Bryant (foot, knee), Brandon Carr (shoulder), Matt Cassel (knee), Barry Church (ankle), Jack Crawford (hand), James Hanna (ankle), Jeff Heath (shoulder), DeMarcus Lawrence (back), Christine Michael (illness) and Rod Smith (illness) are probable.