Gramatica Injured During Warm-ups against the Texans.

[Cowboyzadam]

Folk to handle kicking duties in preseason finale at Minnesota.

IRVING – Martin Gramatica said he suffered a pulled hamstring during warmups of Saturday's game with Houston, yet continued to play anyway.

Gramatica most likely will miss Thursday's preseason game at Minnesota with the injury.

"I felt a slight pain during warmups; it hurt," Gramatica said in Spanish. "My leg felt really stiff, but I didn't think it was anything important. That's why I didn't say anything, I wanted to play. These things happen."

He left Saturday's game in the third quarter after a kickoff. He was holding his right leg as he walked gingerly to the sidelines.

Gramatica is in a competition with rookie Nick Folk for the kicking job.

"I have eight years of experience in the NFL in my favor, and that's not easy to match," Gramatica said.

Folk said he's excited about the chance to kick for an entire game in Gramatica's absence. Folk is 3-for-3 on field goal attempts this preseason and has attempted seven kickoffs with two going into the end zone.

"It's a little bit hard, but you try to be supportive," Folk said. "No one wants to go through an injury and you really don't want to win the job through injury."

Injury update: Inside linebacker Kevin Burnett will undergo surgery today to remove bone chips from his left ankle. Burnett could miss the regular season opener against the New York Giants.

It's the second time Burnett has been injured in the preseason. He suffered a slight concussion during training camp but has returned and played well.

Also, starting wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) and guard Doug Free (knee) who will each miss the preseason finale, will practice on Saturday according to coach Wade Phillips.

[Cowboyzadam]

Gramatica wants to rest.

Belo hermano Carlos Nava of Al Dia talked to Martin Gramatica, who is confident that he'll keep his job despite a slight hamstring pull and competition from sixth-round pick Nick Folk.

"I have eight years of experience in the NFL in my favor, and that’s not easy to match," Gramatica said.

Gramatica, who felt some pain in the hammy during warm-ups, missed an extra point and had an extremely short kickoff against the Texans. But he doesn't sound like a guy who feels he has something to prove in the final preseason game.

"I’m going to talk to the coach so they can make a decision based on the medical results," Gramatica said. "But I prefer not to play, not to risk it, and rest the leg."

Hunch here is that Gramatica will get plenty of time to rest, but he won't be getting paid by Jerry to do so.

[lcboysfan]

Can you say injury settlement?

[CowboyFan-n-GA]

Yeah Gramatica has already missed a FG and a XP this preseason. I think we should give Nick the shot. He has been on the money so far.

[DCfan60]

I hate to even say it.. but I still would like to keep both for a while.. maybe till about mid season.. If one of the other boys we plan to cut can make it to the practice squad. till mid season.. make sure we feel good about folk.. then give Gramatica a long rest..

I just dont want to lose in the last minutes with a rookie because of nerves..

I dont think they will keep both.. but for 1/2 a season would give me a bit of peace there..

[NewmanOwns]

Folk is my boy! haha.

Im excited he gets a chance to basically win the job if he does well in the game. Ive liked what ive seen so far and the fact that he hasnt missed a FG in training camp really makes me have high hopes for this kid.

[Cowboyzadam]

I have become a big Folk supporter as well. He has caught me by total surprise. I still like Gramatica a lot as well. It would be great to have the luxury to be able to keep both of these kickers but we just cannot afford to IMO. The problem with the argument about keeping Gramatica for his vet experience alone may not cut it. OK say we keep them both. Why would you do that you say? Well for the obvious reason of fearing that Folk would screw up in game winning and pressure situations.

So in those situations you send in Gramatica and not risk it with the rookie. Well that's all fine and dandy but you get nowhere doing that. You will never get Folk comfortable in those game winning situations if you keep shielding him from them. Aren't we suppose to have a pretty good offense that can put points on the board? Hopefully...and I say hopefully, our Defense will do it's job to where we will not need to win a lot of games by a field goal.

If we do then you may as well go with the young rookie who has a hell of a leg and the distance to make 50+ field goals with what appears to be nothing but a thang to him. He also goes out there and acts like he's been doing it for years. Heck he already has half the battle won...he does not have ROMO holding for him. :P

[mcaje]

I think Jerry is going to be sitting down at the table and eating a big signing bonus.

I like what I've seen from Folk to.

[NewmanOwns]

you guys that are scared about Folk bein a rookie and feelin the pressure need to look at New Englands rookie kicker last year. He did really well.