Daily Madden: Injuries In NFL Preseason Practices

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Dallas Cowboys starting linebacker Sean Lee suffered a devastating knee injury during Tuesday's OTAs (Organized Team Activities), and now is expected to miss the entire season.

John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew that while unfortunate, these type of injuries occur every year.

"Freak things happen when you get guys together and you get 11 on 11. Practicing without pads – football, especially the running game, is very hard, and you have to learn how to do it," he said. "When you have rookies mixed in there with veteran players, some ugly things can happen."

Reports are that Lee tore his left ACL during Tuesday's practice, although as of Wednesday morning, the Cowboys have not made an official statement on the injury. Coach Madden said the injury looked like something that could have happened to anyone.

"To me, it looked like he slipped, like he was trying to stop or change directions, and he just got caught up," Madden said. "I don't think that he tore his ACL by a contact play."

Lee has been injury prone, missing five games last season due to hamstring and neck injuries. He missed two games during his rookie season in 2010, one game in 2011, and 10 games following toe surgery in 2012.

(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)