Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Jason Hatcher is a budding star, as he is having a massive breakout season at the age of 31. Hatcher has been a dynamic interior pass rusher this season for the Cowboys with seven sacks, and there have been some games in which he is flat-out dominated the opposition and taken over the point of attack. With 29 tackles and three passes defended to go with the seven sacks, it’s safe to say that Hatcher is now a star player on the Cowboys defense.

According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, Hatcher will be a game-time decision for today’s big contest against the New Orleans Saints, and it doesn’t sound like he’ll be playing through a pinched nerve. In fact, his quotes on the injury have angered several Cowboys fans, because they believe that he isn’t a team player. Hatcher stated that he doesn’t want to put out “bad film” in a contract year, but my belief is that Hatcher will be out because he can’t play through the pinched nerve. It’s an injury that could easily be aggravated, so consider Hatchera toss-up for today’s game.

I can understand the frustration of Cowboys fans, because what Hatcher said isn’t the most endearing thing either. But it’s honest and is easy to take out of context. Based on what I’ve seen and read on Hatcher this season, this isn’t a guy who is simply mailing things in. And why should he? He’s a key player on a playoff-bound team with one of the league’s most storied franchises.

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