IRVING, Texas, May 20 (UPI) -- The Dallas Cowboys are now facing the possibility that superstar cornerback and kick returner Deion Sanders may not be on the football field until near the end of training camp, if then. A report today (Thursday) in the Dallas Morning News quotes team trainer Jim Maurer as saying he has no idea when Sanders will be able to play again. Sanders had a major operation three weeks ago to repair the big toe on his left foot, which had been causing him a great deal of pain since he sprained it in a game against Arizona last November. The cast on his foot was removed Monday in New York, but Maurer says the road to recovery will definitely be a slow process. He said Dr. William Hamilton, who performed the surgery and also removed the cast, feels the toe is properly re-aligned and is progressing well. Maurer told the paper the focus now is on helping Sanders regain the range of motion in the toe. ``How much more aggressive we can be will be determined in the next week or two,'' he said. ``There's a limited amount physically we can do right now. He just needs to walk on it and use it.'' Maurer added, ``Deion has a good mind-set. He's happy the cast is off.'' The Cowboys begin training camp July 26 at Wichita Falls, Texas. Their first regular season game is Sept. 12 at Washington. The Morning News report also indicates the Cowboys have considered releasing Sanders, who will be 32 in August, which could cost them $4.9 million if he files an injury grievance. With a pro-rated bonus of $1.7 milliom, he stands to make $8.2 million for the 1999 season, but the club would still have $3.2 million to free agents to shore up weaknesses. Last season, Sanders had five interceptions, 22 solo tackles and a fumble recovery in 11 games. He also returned 24 punts for 375 yards and a score and had one kickoff return for 16 yards and a score.  