The Dallas Cowboys took another blow on the defense.
Coach Jason Garrett told reporters on Thursday that linebacker DeVonte Holloman's neck injury will likely end his career.
The second-year player left Saturday's contest against the Baltimore Ravens after injuring his neck late in the game. A sixth-round pick in 2013, Holloman missed seven games last season with a spinal contusion.
"I don't know anything medical about it," Garrett said. "I don't know that much about it, specific things in regards to that. But it has to do with his neck and he had that injury last year, and dealt with it again this year. And it's a very challenging, difficult thing for a young man who has dreams of being an NFL football player, achieves those dreams. And I told him this morning, I said, 'You're a 10-year player in my mind, you were gonna play for a long, long time.'"
Holloman was one option the Cowboys hoped to employ to replace Sean Lee on a beat up defense. The second-year linebacker impressed coaches last season when healthy.
"This becomes an easy decision for him and for his family when you're dealing with that kind of an injury," Garrett said of Holloman's choice to step away from football.
The 23-year-old will end his career with 26 tackles and two sacks in nine games. His departure weakens an already depleted linebacker corps.
The twice-retired Rolando McClain and rookie Anthony Hitchens have gotten reps at middle linebacker with the first-team unit.
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