Jayron Kearse makes definitive statement on status for Sunday night versus 49ers

Cowboys nation held its collective breath on Monday night after the early exit of safety Jayron Kearse due to a knee injury. With the secondary already down multiple contributors, the loss of Kearse would throw yet another wrench into the defense’s plans for Sunday versus the 49ers.

The former seventh-round draft pick received the diagnosis of a sprained MCL, but when asked about his status for the divisional playoff game, he told reporters he is 100% playing. Kearse also sprained his MCL in September and said he believes the injury is easier to deal with this time around.

“I’m good,” Kearse said Wednesday, via Jon Machota. “Feeling good. This is easier to handle than the first time.”

On Tuesday, Mike McCarthy shared that the safety plans to participate in Wednesday’s walk-through practice, but Kearse’s latest comments provide even more positivity.

Kearse hurt his knee during the second half of the game and after a pit stop in the medical tent, wound up on the exercise bike. After the game, Kearse, who was one of the team’s six game captains, told reporters he will be “good.” Prior to his exit, he had an interception in the end zone that killed off the Bucs’ best first-half drive.

Kearse: ‘We’re craving a Super Bowl’

The Cowboys’ matchup versus the 49ers is an opportunity for payback. San Francisco bounced Dallas out of the playoffs last season in the first round. Although there is a revenge factor for the boys in blue this weekend, according to Kearse, their eyes are on a much bigger prize.

“We want to win it all,” Kearse said. “We’re craving a Super Bowl, that’s enough motivation for us.”

The former Vikings defender is in his second season with the Cowboys and he has one year more on his deal. In March, he signed a two-year deal for $10,000,000.