IRVING, Texas – Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garett put linebacker Bruce Carter in the day-to-day category with a quadriceps strain in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win against the New Orleans Saints.

Carter pulled up on a 62-yard run by Khiry Robinson on the Saints’ first touchdown drive and did not return.

After the game Carter said he would be OK, but defensive end DeMarcus Ware suffered a quadriceps strain last season and missed three games.

Garrett said Carter played his best game of the season Sunday. He was credited with six tackles and two pass deflections, including one that ended up in Justin Durant’s arms for an interception.

“He was around the ball, made the big tip on the interception, just seemed to be around the ball,” Garrett said. “Hits on the ball, both in the run game and in the pass game. I thought he did a good job of knocking them back when he tackled them. I thought we did a good job of that as a football team. That’s a point of emphasis for us, the way you tackle matters. I thought Bruce was a part of those tackles besides just being around the ball most of the night.”

When Carter went down for the night, Rolando McClain took more work in the nickel defense. He had been playing only in the base defense as he recovered from a groin strain that kept him out of the Sept. 21 meeting against the St. Louis Rams

McClain was questionable heading into the game after taking part in a limited portion of Friday’s practice. Garrett said McClain came out of the Saints’ win fine.

“He’s a smart player – very instinctive, he picks things up quickly,” Garrett said. “I think that certainly helped in his ability to play in that game.”