达拉斯牛仔队线卫格雷格·埃利斯（Greg Ellis）不再怕被新秀抢了位置，也不再为寻求一份新合同而担心——他现在关心的问题是，他是否会因为伤病而被迫退役。

　　埃利斯在去年11月撕裂了跟腱，这种伤通常需要12个月的时间来恢复，但他为了能赶上训练营，只进行了短短几个月的激进的康复治疗。埃利斯以为他的伤已无大碍，于是首次训练他就上了场，结果只坚持了几分钟。

　　伤痛迫使他休战。差不多三个星期之后，他动过手术的脚后跟依然使他疼痛难忍：“这种疼痛让人无法忍受，它挥之不去，甚至在我早上醒来下地走动的时候都会发作。”

　　核磁共振检查表示埃利斯的伤没有大问题，因此球队的医疗组没有因为伤情复发而惊慌，他们对他的伤愈回归充满信心。埃利斯希望自己也能同他们一样乐观：“这很令人沮丧。还会有什么事情发生？它为什么挥之不去？我只能想这还需要时间吧。”

　　埃利斯是在去年11月12日受的伤，距今已有9个月。如果能再多等待3个月时间，他就能康复，但是新赛季4周之内就要开始。9月9日星期日，牛仔队将在主场迎来纽约巨人队。“我想为与巨人队的比赛作好准备，"他说，"我想成为比赛中的一员。”

　　牛仔队中没有现役球员比埃利斯效力的时间更长，他也希望能够迈向自己的第10个赛季。他6次列全队擒杀榜榜首，在过去两年担任防守组组长。上赛季，教练比尔·帕塞尔斯（Bill Parcells）让他从防守端锋改打外线卫，从而使他更适合球队的3-4阵型。埃利斯太担心自己无法胜任，以至于要求被交易或解雇，又或者是在他的合同中加入更多的保障条款。

　　四月份，牛仔队在选秀中首先挑选了安东尼·斯宾塞（Anthony Spencer），一位在大学里打端锋现在被用作外线卫的球员。看到球队在他位置替补上的投资，埃利斯再次大吐苦水，甚至在训练营中伤病复发后，仍旧抱怨不断。他的久久不归队遭来装病的指责。

　　问题也许会变成牛仔队老板杰瑞·琼斯（Jerry Jones）和教练韦德·菲利普斯（Wade Phillips）乐意为他等多久。

原文 

IRVING, Texas (Aug. 12, 2007) —— Cowboys linebacker Greg Ellis is no longer worried about losing his job to a rookie or about wanting a new contract. His new concern is whether he might be forced to retire because of an injury.

Ellis tore his left Achilles' tendon last November and went through an aggressive rehabilitation to trim a few months off the usual 12-month recovery so he could be back for the start of training camp. Thinking he was ready, he went out for the first workout, but lasted only a few minutes.

The pain forced him to stop. Nearly three weeks later, a spot above his heel and below the surgically repaired tear is still hurting him badly.

"It's a pain you can't deal with," he said. "It never goes away —— even when I wake up in the morning, walking around, the whole deal."

An MRI shows no problems, so the team's medical staff isn't too alarmed by this first setback in what had been a flawless recovery. They remain confident Ellis will return. Ellis wishes he could share their optimism.

"It's just frustrating," he said. "What the heck is going on? Why won't it go away? I just keep saying maybe there's something to the time period."

Ellis was hurt Nov. 12, meaning today was the nine-month mark. Waiting three more months would be nice, but the season starts in four weeks, at home against the New York Giants on Sunday, Sept. 9.

"I want to be ready for the Giants game," he said. "I want to be part of it."

No current player has been with the Cowboys longer than Ellis, who hopes to be heading into his 10th season. He has led the team in sacks six times and has been the captain of the defense the past two years.

He made headlines last season when coach Bill Parcells moved him from defensive end to outside linebacker so he would be a better fit in the team's 3-4 scheme. Ellis was so afraid of failing that he asked to be traded or released, or to have more security written into his contract. He wound up being tied for the lead in sacks when he was hurt.

In April, the Cowboys spent their top pick on Anthony Spencer, a college end being converted to outside linebacker. Seeing Dallas invest in his replacement, Ellis squawked again. He continued grumbling even after his training camp setback. His slow return has prompted accusations that he's faking it.

"This is not about me trying to get more money," he said. "This might be it for me. Hopefully it's not, but that's the reality of the situation."

The question might become how long Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and coach Wade Phillips are willing to wait for him.

What if he needs that full year? That would mean Dallas going at least seven games with essentially a 52-man roster.

Ellis could go on injured reserve, but that would wipe out his entire season. He can't go on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list because he's already participated in a practice, even if it was only the initial few minutes of the very first one.

"That's what it always comes down to, the business side of it," Ellis said. "What are Jerry and Wade going to do? I don't know. They haven't talked to me about it."

Phillips sees no reason to have that chat.

"Our guys say he's day to day," the coach said. "I am going with that."

While the team has been steady with its prognosis, Ellis keeps picking up negative vibes elsewhere.