the second quarter. On December 9, 2012, Claiborne sustained laceration to his face during the third quarter of the Cowboys’ 20–19 victory at the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14. The following week, he was inactive and missed the Cowboys’ 27–24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15. In Week 16, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (nine solo) and deflected two passes during a 34–31 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He finished his rookie season in 2012 with 55 combined tackles (43 solo), eight pass deflections, and one interception in 15 games and 15 starts. 2013 On January 8, 2013, the Dallas Cowboys announced their decision to fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan after they finished 19th in the league in points allowed and 24th in yards allowed in 2012. On January 11, 2013, the Dallas Cowboys hired USC assistant head coach Monte Kiffin to be their new defensive coordinator. Kiffin installed a base 4-3 defense with an emphasis on the Tampa 2 defensive scheme. Claiborne gained eight pounds during the off-season as the Tampa 2 defense placed an emphasis on press coverages. Claiborne entered training camp slated as a starting cornerback, but sustained numerous injuries that delayed his progress. On July 25, 2013, it was reported that Claiborne had dislocated his pinkie during a one-on-one drill. During training camp, Claiborne jammed his knee and was the sidelined for the rest of camp and the entire preseason. He started in the Dallas Cowboys’ season-opener against the New York Giants and recorded three solo tackles before exiting in the third quarter of their 36–31 victory. Claiborne injured his left shoulder while attempting to tackle Giants’ tight end Brandon Myers. In Week 4, he collected a season-high seven combined tackles (six solo) during a 30–21 loss at the San Diego Chargers. On October 1, 2013, it was reported that the Cowboys had chosen to demote Claiborne to being the third cornerback after he struggled and was replaced by Orlando Scandrick. Claiborne sustained a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two games (Weeks 9–10). In Week 12, Claiborne returned, but further aggravated his hamstring injury during the Cowboys’ 24–21 win at the New York Giants. Claiborne missed four consecutive games (Weeks 13–16) and explained his rehabilitation was delayed due to the death of his father and birth of his daughter. He finished the season with 26 combined tackles (24 solo), five