Report: Cowboys' Hitchens to miss 8 weeks with knee fracture

After the team had previously feared a season-ending injury, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens was diagnosed with a tibial plateau fracture in his right knee that will cause him to miss eight weeks, ESPN's Todd Archer reports.

While he'll miss significant time, the prognosis comes as good news for the Cowboys who originally feared Hitchens suffered a torn ACL following his exit from Saturday's game.

Hitchens' injury leaves a gap in the middle of the Cowboys' defense as he started at middle linebacker for all of the 2016 season. His absence could open up a chance for second-year linebacker Jaylon Smith to start as he returns from a major knee injury. Kyle Wilber and Justin Durant will also likely get a chance to compete for the vacated role.

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