Aikman definitely out Sunday

IRVING, Texas (AP) _ The only thing definite about Troy Aikman's future is that he won't play Sunday. <br><br>Dallas Cowboys coach Dave Campo confirmed Tuesday that Aikman will be sidelined for

Wednesday, December 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

IRVING, Texas (AP) _ The only thing definite about Troy Aikman's future is that he won't play Sunday.

Dallas Cowboys coach Dave Campo confirmed Tuesday that Aikman will be sidelined for Sunday night's game against the New York Giants. The coach wouldn't speculate if the concussion-prone quarterback has played his last game this season or in his career.

``We have to be on the cautious side with the injury he has. But we are not going beyond this game right now,'' Campo said. ``We will continue evaluating him.''

Aikman suffered the second concussion of the season and 10th of his career Sunday when he was tackled in the first quarter by Washington linebacker LaVar Arrington.

Campo said the decision for Aikman to miss the game against the Giants was made after medical evaluations and discussions with the quarterback, doctors and other team officials.

``The No. 1 thing in our minds is his health,'' Campo said. ``There are no other considerations. It is a health issue for sure.''

After the Giants, the Cowboys (5-9) play their season finale Christmas night at Tennessee.

While agreeing that Aikman and the Cowboys will have some tough decisions to make at the end of the season, Campo repeated he hasn't thought about the possibility that Aikman, a likely Hall of Famer, might never play again at Texas Stadium.

``I don't think about that. Troy has never indicated that to me in any way, shape or form,'' Campo said.

Anthony Wright, a second-year pro, will get his first NFL start Sunday against the Giants. Wright replaced Aikman in the 32-13 victory over the Redskins and was 3-of-5 for 73 yards.

Rookie Clint Stoerner will move up from the practice squad to give the Cowboys three quarterbacks for the game. Randall Cunningham, who started the other three games Aikman missed this season, is still hampered by a groin injury, but should be available if needed.

Before last Sunday, Wright's only other regular-season action was in the fourth quarter of a 27-7 loss at Tampa Bay last month. Wright was 1-of-3 for 10 yards in that game.

With Emmitt Smith running for a season-high 150 yards and the Cowboys ahead, there wasn't much reason for Wright to throw against the Redskins. So Dallas scaled down the offense for the young quarterback.

``He knew quite a bit more than we used. We were running the football effectively, controlling the game and had the lead,'' Campo said. ``All of those things played into it.''

Campo said Wright would be expected to do more in his first start, especially after a full week of practice with the first team.

Wright was moved from the practice squad to the active roster Nov. 21 to protect him after other NFL teams showed interest in the young quarterback.

Dallas acquired Wright on Aug. 30 after he was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wright made the Steelers last year as a rookie free agent. He was listed as the No. 2 quarterback by the season finale, but never played.