Williams hurts shoulder WR suffers sprain in practice collision

ARLINGTON - Wide receiver Roy Williams suffered a sprained left shoulder at practice Thursday night, according to multiple sources. He did not suffer a broken bone, but it is not clear how much time Williams will miss. The initial fears were that Williams suffered a more serious injury after colliding with cornerback Orlando Scandrick. But Williams confirmed via text message that X-rays were negative. A prolonged absence would be a blow to an offense that was looking to Williams to play a major role. After a disappointing start to his Cowboys career after the trade last season with Detroit, Williams made big strides this offseason with Tony Romo. Coach Wade Phillips did not know the severity of Williams' injury after practice. Williams was getting examined as practice continued. The players were not in pads during the two-hour workout. Williams immediately grabbed his shoulder as he went to the ground and was slow to get up. He shouted angrily as he left the field. He was examined by head athletic trainer Jim Maurer before heading inside the locker room. Earlier in camp, Williams sprained his left wrist during a practice inside the Alamodome after getting tangled up with Scandrick but missed only one practice session. Open practice: Thursday's open practice drew 26,460 fans to Cowboys Stadium. It ran more than two hours and featured interviews on the huge video screen, autographs with Cowboys legends such as Walt Garrison, Drew Pearson and Charles Haley, and a "halftime" performance by the Cowboys cheerleaders. "It's unbelievable," said veteran linebacker Keith Brooking, who joined the Cowboys this season after 11 seasons with the Falcons. "I'm speechless, man. It's something new every day in this carnival ride." Thursday was a bit of a special day, but one the team felt was needed. They'll take Friday off and then return to face the 49ers on Saturday in their third preseason game. Preston ready: The Cowboys acquired Duke Preston for offensive line depth on Wednesday and he practiced Thursday, but he is not expected to play Saturday. "I just got the playbook about four hours ago, so it will be on the run," said Preston, a former Buffalo Bill who was released this week by Green Bay. Two players released: TE Rodney Hannah was waived Thursday after asking for his release, and LB Justin Rogers was released because he has been unable to overcome tendinitis in his knee. Hannah caught a touchdown pass from Stephen McGee in the 30-10 preseason win over Tennessee last week, but was unlikely to win a battle with John Phillips to become the third tight end on the final roster. He will likely sign with another NFL team. Rogers was a core special-teamer, but has missed a good deal of the off-season workouts because of his knee. The SMU product from Commerce made 34 tackles on special teams the last two seasons. Briefly: TE Martellus Bennett (illness) returned to practice and is expected to play Saturday. ...WR Sam Hurd (quad) did not practice for the third day in a row, but will play Saturday is he is healthy by then, coach Wade Phillips said. ... The Cowboys have 76 players and must get down to 75 by Sept. 1. DallasNews.com staff writer Tim MacMahon contributed to this story. Cowboys RESULTS/SCHEDULE PRESEASON Date Result Aug. 13 at Oakland .......31 Cowboys ............10 Aug. 21 at Cowboys ......30 Tennessee..........10 Date Opponent TV Time Aug. 29 San Francisco Ch. 11 7:00 Sept. 4 Minnesota Ch. 11 7:00 REGULAR SEASON Date Opponent TV Time Sept. 13 at Tampa Bay Ch. 4 noon Sept. 20 NY Giants Ch. 5 7:20 Sept. 28 Carolina ESPN/Ch. 21 7:30 Oct. 4 at Denver Ch. 4 3:15 Oct. 11 at Kansas City Ch. 4 noon Oct. 18 Bye Oct. 25 Atlanta Ch. 4 3:15 Nov. 1 Seattle Ch. 4 noon Nov. 8 at Philadelphia Ch. 5 7:20 Nov. 15 at Green Bay Ch. 4 3:15 Nov. 22 Washington Ch. 4 noon Nov. 26 Oakland Ch. 11 3:15 Dec. 6 at NY Giants Ch. 4 3:15 Dec. 13 San Diego Ch. 11 3:15 Dec. 19 at New Orleans NFLN/Ch. 21 7:20 Dec. 27 at Washington Ch. 5 7:20 Jan. 3 Philadelphia Ch. 4 noon