IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Brandon Williams has a torn knee ligament and likely is headed for season-ending surgery.
Age: 21
Height: 6-3 Weight: 254
College: Texas Tech
Experience: Rookie
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said Saturday that Williams "played very well on special teams. We lost an outside linebacker that we were hoping would help us some this year."
A fourth-round draft pick from Texas Tech, Williams was injured while trying to make a tackle on a punt return during the Cowboys' 30-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Friday night. Victor Butler will replace Williams as the primary backup on the strong side.
Steve Octavien also is likely to move up in the rotation.
Also, third-string quarterback Stephen McGee sprained a knee while throwing a late touchdown pass and might miss about a week. Inside linebacker Justin Rogers aggravated a knee problem and also could miss a week.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press