Dallas Cowboys LB Sean Lee Lost for Season

Dallas Cowboys leading tackler Sean Lee is done for the year after being placed on season-ending injured reserve with a right big toe injury.

Lee will have surgery on his injury next week with a full recovery expected in time for the start of the 2013 season. Running back Felix Jones had a similar surgery in 2008 and has not had any issues with the toe since.

The linebacker was injured in the second half of last weekend's 19-14 win against Carolina.

''He has such an intensity about him,'' Head Coach Jason Garrett said. ''He said, 'You know, I'm not getting down. I'm ready to go I'm going be part of this football team and we're going to get this thing fixed. I'll be back before you know it.'''

After being drafted in the second four in 2012, Lee started 15 games last year, finishing with 105 tackles and tying for the team lead with four interceptions. He had 58 tackles in six games this year and one interception

Along with Lee, Dallas also put punter Chris Jones on injured reserve.

Dallas has filled the two injured players roster spots with a pair of veteran players in safety Charlie Peprah and linebacker Ernie Sims, a former Top 10 draft pick of the Lions back in 2006.

Sims, 27, played in 13 games last year for Indianapolis with four starts and was credited with 32 tackles. In 2010 he started 15 games for Philadelphia and had 55 tackles and two sacks. He spent his first four seasons with Detroit.

Dan Connor will replace Lee in the starting lineup, and Bruce Carter will take over as the defensive signal-caller.

The Cowboys host the division rival Giants Sunday.