Safety Darren Woodson will likely miss all of training camp and could miss the beginning of the season.
The Cowboys all-time leading tackler must have surgery to repair a ruptured disc in his back.
Replacing Woodson could be a tricky proposition. Tony Dixon has played sparingly since being drafted in 2001 and has not yet shown an ability to separate himself from the pack.
Another alternative could be Keith Davis, who excelled in NFL Europe this season for the Berlin Thunder.
If Woodson is not ready for the start of the season, he will need to get into shape before being able to return to the field. That could cause another week or two to go by before he sets foot onto the field.