The Cowboys’ cratering season encountered more turbulence in Week 16, with starting safety Barry Church suffering a broken arm that will shelve him for Week 17 and a considerable stretch of offseason time, Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
After starting 47 straight games — and 50 overall in his six-year career — for the Cowboys, Church broke his right arm while tackling Tyrod Taylor in the fourth quarter Sunday.
As of now, the injury will not require surgery, instead being a “clean break” necessitating a cast, Church told media.
Church finished with 77 tackles. The 27-year-old ex-undrafted free agent has one more season left on his contract, which will pay him a base salary of $2.75MM in 2016.
Church last missed time in Dallas after tearing his Achilles’ tendon during the 2012 season.