IRVING, Texas – As we ponder the Dallas Cowboys’ 46-man roster for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, it all starts with Tony Romo.
He did not practice all week and is listed as questionable for the game because of a back injury suffered Monday against the Washington Redskins. To me, it makes more sense to rest Romo for this game given where the Cowboys are with their record and where they are in their season. They have a little bit of a cushion, though that thought goes against everything Jason Garrett talks about.
Still, they need to be smart. But let’s say Romo plays; do they need to make sure Dustin Vaughan is active as the third quarterback? Perhaps.
There is an injury question on the offensive line, too. Doug Free will miss his third game with a foot injury. Ronald Leary did not practice because of a groin strain and is listed as questionable. He could be active in an emergency role but not play. Mackenzy Bernadeau would be the starter at left guard and Tony Hills, more of a tackle, would serve as the backup at both guard and tackle spots with Donald Hawkins active for the first time this year in case of emergency.
On the defensive line, DeMarcus Lawrence will make his debut after missing the first eight games because of a foot injury. Jack Crawford is nursing a calf injury but was able to practice this week. Davon Coleman is in a numbers crunch as well.
At linebacker, Tim Dobbins joined the team on Tuesday with Justin Durant’s season ending because of a torn biceps. I think Dobbins will be active sooner rather than later, but I don’t know if he’ll be ready for this week to know the defensive and special teams’ schemes. That would give Keith Smith a spot.
So here’s the guess at the inactives: Romo, Hawkins, Free, Crawford, Coleman, Dobbins and Jakar Hamilton.
