Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett has admitted that defensive end DeMarcus Ware has battled well to recover from a collection of injuries in recent seasons.

Garrett said that if the Cowboys can get him healthy for a run of games then he would be able to be the same player he was earlier in his career.

"The guy has dealt with a lot of different things over the last couple years - a shoulder, an elbow, a quad, different injuries here and there - and that happens," Garrett told the club's official website.

"It's the nature of football. He's always done an amazing job fighting through those things, doing what he can do to get himself to Sunday. I think if we get him to a point where he is healthy throughout the season, you'll see similar production to what he's had throughout his career."

The Cowboys finished the season second in the NFC East with an 8-8 record.