Dallas Cowboys Morris Claiborne on dealing with shoulder pain

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) on the bench during the second half against the Houston Texans at AT

Dallas Cowboys second-year cornerback Morris Claiborne is playing through some immense pain right now in an effort to soldier on through a dislocated shoulder, and it doesn’t sound like he’s going to be at full strength at any point this season. Offseason surgery is a certainty for Claiborne at this point, but he is toughing it out until then. Like Tony Romo is for his injured ribs, Morris Claiborne is taking pain-killer shots in order to ease the pain in his shoulder, and he spoke about how he has to deal with the pain in his shoulder.

From Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, “I don’t know about the surgery stuff just yet, but I know it’s going to be here throughout the season. I’ll probably be in the brace the whole season. …I’ve just got to do it. I don’t think it’s going to be difficult. Just put it behind you and deal with the pain factor later on.”

Morris Claiborne has been struggling through the pain this season, and it’s a real shame since this could have been a huge breakout season for Claiborne without the dislocated shoulder. He might have to wait until his third season in the league to emerge as a star player and put things together, because he has been getting picked on early in the season. The injury is clearly affecting him, and Claiborne is visibly having issues making tackles.

Per the Star-Telegram, the Dallas Cowboys are doing whatever they can to ease the pain on their young CB by managing his practice reps and in-game snaps. Orlando Scandrick is the starter opposite of solid corner Brandon Carr in two-wide sets, with Scandrick kicking back to his natural position as a nickel CB in three-wide sets in order for Claiborne to start. It’s tough not to feel awful for Claiborne, as he is supposed to be a real X-Factor for this Cowboys defense. Here’s to hoping he can get healthier as the season goes on, but at least Scandrick is holding up on the outside when asked to.

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