Already performing above expectations, Cowboys nearing return of defensive standout

Key Cowboys defensive player out another game.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick is progressing at a promising rate but is still likely to miss his third straight game Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals with hamstring strains in both legs.

The ninth-year player out of Boise State, who was named the Cowboys Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, sustained the injury in the season opener against the New York Giants. Scandrick missed the entire 2015 season with ACL and MCL tears in his right knee.

Scandrick practiced sparingly Wednesday and was kept out of practice Thursday, and says the timetable for his return is on a day-by-day basis.

"It's about getting me healthy," Scandrick told the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. "It's not about getting me to Sunday. That ship has sailed. I feel like I'm going to get better. It's just been where I start to feel better and you do a little more and start to feel it. I would love to practice every day. We have to take this day by day and hopefully it will get better. We've got a plan in place."

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Rookie defensive back Anthony Brown, who's appeared in three games this season, is set to fill in for Scandrick Sunday in the nickel defense.