IRVING, Texas -- Brian Waters, who is set to hit free agency after a seven-game run at right guard for the Dallas Cowboys in 2013, turns 37 years old Tuesday.
Will he play in 2014?
If he wants to, then he will. That is the question Waters has not answered and likely will not answer until well into the offseason.
He has yet to have surgery on a torn triceps that knocked him out for the season, but even if he does have the operation he said in December that would not mean he will play in 2014. He talked the day after the season about needing the surgery just for quality of life.
Waters started five games for the Cowboys and played in seven at right guard. Jason Garrett talked about Waters’ presence changing the offensive line. He brought a toughness and diligence to the group.
At this stage in his career, Waters does not want to go through the rigors of an offseason program and training camp. He and the Cowboys went back and forth last summer and the Cowboys were ready to move on to Brandon Moore until he opted not to get on a plane to Oxnard, Calif.
Waters eventually signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million and more from incentives, joining the Cowboys on Sept. 4, 2013. He was active for the second week of the season. He moved into the starting role Sept. 29 against the San Diego Chargers and held it until he tore his triceps against the Detroit Lions.
Waters did enough in 2013 to show he can still play. Maybe not at the All-Pro level he once played, but certainly good enough for a team to win games with him. But he is 37.
Should the Cowboys re-sign him if he wants to play?
