The season of Dallas Cowboys inside linebacker Bruce Carter could be over because team officials believe he'll need elbow surgery next week according to a source.

Carter dislocated his elbow Thursday during the second half of the Cowboys loss to the Washington Redskins.

Team officials will know more about Carter's status on Monday.

Losing Carter is a major blow to a defense that has already lost inside linebacker Sean Lee to toe surgery.

Without Lee and Carter, the Cowboys will have Ernie Sims and Dan Connor as the inside linebackers in their 3-4 defense.