ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 02: Anthony Hitchens #59 of the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 2, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys fear they may have lost a major starter for significant time before the season starts

This could be devastating news for the Cowboys.

UPDATE: Adam Schefter is reporting the injury is not a season-ending one. However, he will miss significant time because of it.


The Week 1 version of the Dallas Cowboys will already include several inexperienced players due to suspensions and injuries, and another projected starter was hurt in a preseason game.

Linebacker Anthony Hitches suffered a knee injury in the Cowboys' preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, and the team believes the injury to be season-ending according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

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Fellow teammate Sean Lee said the loss of Hitchens would be "huge."

If Hitchens is out for the season, rookie Jaylon Smith might be forced to have a bigger role than anticipated.

The 25-year-old Hitchens started all 16 games last year, and he recorded 39 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season.

Dallas opens the season against the New York Giants on Sunday, Sept. 10.