The hip injury that caused Donnell Woolford to miss the last seven games of the 1995 season will keep him out of Thursday night’s final exhibition game against Kansas City, Woolford said Tuesday.
“I won’t play this next one,” he said, “but if I get some rest now, I’ll be back for the opener (Sept. 2 against Dallas).”
Woolford attributed the recurrence of the injury to the rigors of two-a-day practices at training camp in Platteville, Wis.
“Training camp is the most grueling time,” said Woolford. “I’ll be fine next week. I had the explosiveness back when training camp started. I tried to play through the pain. The last two games, I was dragging my right leg.
“I haven’t played football in almost a year,” Woolford said. “I have to be smart about this. I have as much judgment as they do. It only needs time.”
Woolford tore a hip muscle in the first quarter against Pittsburgh last Nov. 5. Asked if he might lose his job because of the injury, the eight-year veteran and former Pro Bowl cornerback said:
“You never know in this business. I don’t care what I was or what you all think I used to be. I have to do it every day, or I won’t have a job.”
“Woolford does have a muscle strain,” said coach Dave Wannstedt. “He’s tired. He tried to fight through it. He’s all right. He’s fine. He’ll play against Dallas.”
Special player: Tony Carter, who went from special teams to first stringer on one play last year, is back where he was one year ago–a backup to fullback Raymont Harris and a leader on every special teams unit.
Carter stepped in for Harris when Harris was injured on the second offensive play of the 1995 season. He caught 40 passes, rushed 10 times, and provided superb blocking.
“Blocking, running, receiving. I’ve had success at them all,” said Carter. “Blocking sometimes hurts, and you have to be a little crazy to like it, but I like it.
“It’s kind of frustrating not starting,” said Carter. “I want to be `the man.’ But I feel I can contribute in these other ways.”
“Tony’s role changed immensely on that one play last year,” said Wannstedt. “He made the team as a special teams player and did everything we asked as a starter. He’s proven he’s dependable and a winner. He brings a high level to every special teams unit.”
He’ll be missed: Woolford said he was saddened by the departure of Jeremy Lincoln. “I’m surprised with a lot of things that go on around here,” he said. “I have no control over what the situation was. I just have to wish Jeremy well and hopefully he’ll be on somebody else’s team.”
Will he miss Lincoln? “Yeah, I’ll miss him,” he said. “He’s my roommate, man. I don’t know who they’re going to put me with. They’re probably going to put me with Bryan Cox now and I don’t want to room with him.”
Also gone: Cornerback Kenny Gales (hamstring) and defensive lineman Kendall Brown (hamstring) both agreed to injury settlements.
