Cowboys’ Spencer Out for Season

Anthony Spencer will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Anthony Spencer will miss the rest of the season as he seeks microfracture surgery to repair his injured left knee, it has been revealed.

The news comes after the Cowboys (2-1) were made favorites to win the NFC East by Las Vegas odds makers, a result of a solid start to the season coupled with the New York Giants (0-3), Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) and Washington Redskins (0-3) all struggling out of the starter’s box.

The news was reported by most media outlets on Tuesday after Spencer’s agent, Jordan Woy, confirmed the impending medical procedure. Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones later reiterated the news on his radio show for KRLD-FM in Dallas, describing it as a “real setback.”

Spencer underwent surgery on the same knee back in July and was limited in practice as the Cowboys prepared for the 2013 campaign. He made an appearance in a Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but was unable to take the field in Sunday’s 31-7 win over the St. Louis Rams at AT&T Stadium. Now he’ll miss the rest of the year.

The Dallas Morning News online edition ran a pictorial this week detailing other professional sportsmen that have undergone the same microfracture surgery that Spencer will receive, a list that includes the likes of the Detroit Red Wings’ Steve Yzerman, the Cleveland Indians’ Grady Sizemore, and Utah Jazz legend John Stockton.

The surgery is common with NBA players who make up a huge chunk of the list. Anfernee Hardaway, Chris Webber, Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady, Amar’e Stoudemire and Greg Oden have also undergone surgery. Former Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn underwent a similar season-ending surgery in 2007. He never returned to the side or the NFL. Spencer’s surgery isn’t expected to be quite as severe.

Spencer’s absence is bad news for the Cowboys’ front office, who slapped the franchise tag on Spencer this past offseason for the sum of $10.627 million guaranteed. The 29-year-old posted a career-high 11 sacks in 2012, bringing his career total to 32.5. The Cowboys selected Spencer in the first round, 26th overall, of the 2007 NFL Draft.

Spencer will be a free agent this spring. His questionable knee health may cost him a spot on the Cowboys’ roster, and a ton of cash wherever he signs.

After placing Spencer on the IR, the Cowboys’ front office signed Chris Greenwood, a practice squad player with the Detroit Lions.

Dallas will now look to move on without Spencer. The team is currently favored to win the NFC East with even odds. Online sportsbook Bovada currently has the Cowboys at 11/1 to win the NFC (6th) and 22/1 to win Super Bowl XLVIII (10th).

The Cowboys’ first challenge will come Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET) as the team faces the San Diego Chargers (1-2) on the road.

The Chargers have historically posed little threat to the Cowboys, who lead the all-time series 6-3 and are 4-1 when visiting America’s Finest City. However, the Chargers picked up the win the last time the two met (Dec. 2009) and have taken two of the last three.

Dallas Cowboys vs. San Diego Chargers odds for 9/29/13 are available now.

Odds makers couldn’t separate the two sides when the book opened on Monday but the Cowboys have shifted into the role of favorite with most sportsbooks right now. The spread currently sits at 2 with most bookies.

Dallas (3-0-0 ATS) has been perfect against the spread so far this season, while San Diego (2-0-1 ATS) has been close to perfect. Only a push against the Tennessee Titans last Sunday mars the Chargers’ spread record.

The over/under opened at 45 and has been nudged up to 47. Dallas (1-2-0) has favored the under while San Diego (2-1-0) has favored the over.

NFC East Snapshot

The NFC East will get very familiar with the AFC West this weekend, starting with the Cowboys (2-1, 0-1 road) and Chargers (1-2, 0-1 home).

The Philadelphia Eagles (1-2, 1-0 road) will travel to the Mile High City to face the undefeated Denver Broncos (3-0, 2-0 home) on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET). The Eagles are 7-4 all-time against the Broncos and won the last time the two sides met (Dec. 2009). Those were two very different teams though. (matchup)

The New York Giants (0-3, 0-2 road) will face the Kansas City Chiefs (3-0, 1-0 home) at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday (1:00 p.m. ET) looking to pick up a first win of the year.  The Giants are 10-2 all-time against the Chiefs and have won four straight dating back to 1998. (matchup)

Finally, the Washington Redskins (0-3, 0-1 road) will also look for a first win of the year, facing the Oakland Raiders (1-2, 0-1 home) at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders own an 8-4 all-time advantage, but the Redskins have taken two of the last three and will be favored on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET). (matchup)