OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys are seriously considering signing a center this weekend, director of player personnel Stephen Jones said.

Starting center Phil Costa (back) is doubtful for Monday night’s preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders, but he is expected to be able to practice next week. An MRI did not reveal any disk damage, owner/general manager Jerry Jones said.

However, depth at center is still a concern with backups Bill Nagy and Kevin Kowalski out indefinitely due to ankle injuries. Coach Jason Garrett said Nagy will probably have to undergo surgery.

“There’s a chance that we’ll have (a center) in here tomorrow,” Stephen Jones said after Saturday’s practice. “That’s something we’re looking at doing – getting a little insurance – but we really feel good about Costa.”

Asked about Andre Gurode, Garrett said that the former Cowboys Pro Bowler was on the team’s short list. However, Jerry Jones said that later that Gurode was not among the centers that the team had contacted recently.

Stephen Jones declined to discuss specific centers, such as ex-Bucs starter Jeff Faine or ex-Rams starter Jason Brown. It is clear, however, that the Cowboys aren't searching for a center to replace Costa as the starter.

The Cowboys want to sign a center by Sunday because players are required to wait three days after joining a roster before practicing. The Cowboys’ next practice is Wednesday, so a Sunday signee would not have to miss any practice time.