When the Dallas Cowboys traded up to select Morris Claiborne at No. 6 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, owner Jerry Jones revealed that the LSU star was the organization's highest-graded cornerback since Deion Sanders in 1989.
Two years later, the organization is still waiting to see a healthy version of first-round investment.
Claiborne revealed Thursday night, via The Dallas Morning News, that he will need to take a pain-killing injection for a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder prior to the season opener.
"The biggest thing is going to be the pain," Claiborne added. "Can you tolerate the pain? The pain is there and it's going nowhere. That's going to be the big thing."
The current shoulder injury is to the opposite of the one that was dislocated and required a harness after a dislocation in the season opener last year.
Plagued by poor technique and low confidence, Claiborne struggled throughout the season and ultimately lost his starting job to Orlando Scandrick. In addition to the two shoulder injuries, Claiborne has been beset by wrist, hamstring and knee ailments since joining the Cowboys.
If we are to believe the NFL's worst defense might not reside in Dallas this season, we need to signs of a potential turnaround from talented enigmas such as Claiborne and linebacker Bruce Carter. We're still waiting.
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