The Cowboys will place ILB Bruce Carter on IR because of the dislocated left elbow he suffered Thanksgiving Day against Washington. He will have surgery on the elbow this week. Ernie Sims figures to take over Carter's starting job from here but isn't an exciting IDP. Dan Connor would be a better option, but the Cowboys have yet to ply him as a full-timer. The team also signed veteran free agent Brady Poppinga to add depth.