IRVING, Texas – Injuries play a big part in figuring out the Dallas Cowboys' 46-man roster for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, so there’s not much to ponder.
Wide receiver Miles Austin (hamstring), linebacker Justin Durant (groin) and defensive end Edgar Jones (groin) are listed as doubtful, but Austin and Durant did not practice all week and Jones took part in only a limited part of Wednesday’s practice.
Add in the three offensive linemen the Cowboys had inactive last week -- David Arkin, Phil Costa and Darrion Weems -- and you’re down to one spot between four positions.
Last week the Cowboys decided to keep all four running backs active for the first time this season even though Phillip Tanner and Joseph Randle did not see any offensive action.
To me the last spots come down two of the following three: a fourth running back, a fourth tight end, a fifth cornerback or an eighth defensive lineman.
With Jones down, then it makes more sense to go with Caesar Rayford in order to get pressure on Peyton Manning or Chris Greenwood at cornerback than a fourth running back, which would put Randle and Tanner in the cross hairs, or tight end Andre Smith.
I have not had a good average in picking the inactives this year, but I’ll go with Austin, Durant, Jones, Arkin, Costa, Weems and Smith