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Provided by copyright (c)1997 Associated Press
TUESDAY 10/28/97  4:05:26
^Aikman will play against 49ers<
^By DENNE H. FREEMAN=
^AP Sports Writer=
   IRVING, Texas (AP) _ The Dallas Cowboys got a quarterback and a
strong safety back for the San Francisco game but lost an outside
linebacker. That's life in Dallas these days.
   Troy Aikman had a stiff neck and headache Monday but vowed he'll
start against the 49ers.
   Strong safety Darren Woodson said he will shake off his knee
injury and play.
   But outside linebacker Vinson Smith broke his jaw against
Philadelphia and won't be able to compete on Sunday against San
Francisco.
   Aikman suffered the fifth concussion of his NFL career in the
first period of the Dallas Cowboys' 13-12 loss to Philadelphia.
   ``I have no doubt I'll be fine,'' Aikman said Monday. ``I felt I
could have played in the second half yesterday. I felt I had gained
my senses and could go back in, but the doctors wouldn't let me.''
   As far as concussions go, Aikman said Sunday's wasn't the worst.
   ``I think the worst one I had was in the 1994 NFC championship
game, but I practiced and played in the Super Bowl the next week,''
Aikman said.
   Aikman, who has had a total of seven concussions, counting high
school and college, said his helmet-to-helmet collision with Jimmie
Jones of the Eagles was legal.
   ``Jimmie and I have been friends a long time and I don't think
it was intentional,'' Aikman said of the former Cowboy.
   It was Aikman's first concussion since Oct. 24, 1994, at
Arizona. He said it was the first he has had with a new style of
helmet he has been wearing.
   ``I really don't wear a special helmet because it's limited what
I can do because of the communication device we have in there,''
Aikman said. ``I guess I could start wearing one of those helmet
liners on the outside, but don't look for me to do that.''
   Midway through the season the Cowboys are off to their worst
start since 1990.
   ``Between the 20-yard lines we're the best team in the NFL,''
said Dallas running back Emmitt Smith, referring to the fact that
the Cowboys are the worst at scoring touchdown after they get
inside the 20.
   The Cowboys are 4-4, with all four losses coming on the road
against NFC East foes. Dallas has won five consecutive NFC East
titles and has made the playoffs six consecutive years.
   Aikman said if the Cowboys can beat the 49ers (7-1) on Sunday
they can put the bad game in Philadelphia behind them.
   ``We need to win all of them now,'' Aikman said. ``We've left no
room for error.''