Claiborne expects to play against Saints

IRVING – Cowboys rookie cornerback Morris Claiborne said Wednesday that he has passed all of his concussion tests and plans to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Claiborne, who suffered the brain injury in Cincinnati on Dec. 9, didn't play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers but said he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday.

"I know as of right now, I'm feeling good and I expect to be on the field (Sunday against the Saints)," he said.

The hit that caused the concussion came while Claiborne combined on a tackle with teammate Danny McCray. Claiborne's helmet was knocked off during the collision and his lower lip received a gash that required 10 stitches to close.

"From what I can remember, it hurt," Claiborne said.

The wound on his lip has since closed and the stitches have fallen out. Claiborne confirmed that he will not have any surgery performed on his lip.

"Nah," he said. "I'm just going to put some cocoa butter on it."

He appeared to be on track to play against the Steelers but suffered dizziness in practice last Thursday. Claiborne and the Cowboys training staff decided it was best to keep the sixth overall draft pick out of the game. It was the only game he has missed this season.

"It was really tough," Claiborne said of watching from the sidelines. "I think I really felt it in the pre-game when everybody was out jumping around and I'm used to being out there jumping around with them, but I can't and I just wanted to jump out there."

Claiborne is eighth on the team in tackles with 40, second in passes defensed with five and tied for second in interceptions with one.