Cowboys centre Andre Gurode is scarred, sore and still getting used to the bulky padding on his forehead after being cut up by the right cleat of Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth.

He also has accepted Haynesworth's apology, even though he still doesn't understand why it happened.

``He called me, we spoke on the phone and that was pretty much it. He just apologized,'' Gurode said Friday in his most extensive comments since the six-foot-six, 320-pound Haynesworth stomped on his helmetless head this past Sunday.

``I don't really need a reason,'' Gurode said. ``You have to forgive a guy for doing something like that. Just move on and play football.''

Haynesworth has been suspended for five games, three games longer than anyone ever has been punished for on-field behaviour in NFL history. His future with the Titans might be in jeopardy, too.

Gurode, who will play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, needed 30 stitches to fix the damage and since has been bothered by headaches and blurred vision.

But Cowboys coach Bill Parcells proclaimed Gurode ``fine, ready to go.''

He's still adjusting to the bandages on his head and even wore his helmet during warmups Friday to get used to it. Most of the damage is obscured by a skull cap, though there's a hook-shaped scar under his left eye.

Gurode considered pressing criminal charges but opted against it.

``I just felt like that was the right thing to do at that time,'' said Gurode, who added he hasn't thought about filing a civil lawsuit when asked. ``I decided to leave the situation alone.

``I'm just ready to move on, play the Eagles.''

Gurode said he watched a replay of the incident when he got home from the game.

``I just couldn't believe what was happening,'' he said. ``It was just a real bad incident.''