ARLINGTON, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens is active after not practicing all week with a high right ankle sprain.
It’s not clear if Hitchens will start Sunday’s wild-card playoff game against the Detroit Lions. If he doesn’t, then Rolando McClain will start at middle linebacker, with Bruce Carter and Kyle Wilber at outside linebacker.
Defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford, who did not practice Friday because of an illness, is also active and will start.
Hitchens started 11 games at all three linebacker spots and was third on the defense in tackles with 100, according to the coaches’ breakdown. He also had three tackles for loss, two quarterback pressures, one interception and four pass deflections.
Defensive tackle Josh Brent is also active for the second time this season. He missed the final five games with a calf strain. Doug Free will miss his third straight game with an ankle injury and Jermey Parnell will start at right tackle. Linebacker Dekoda Watson will play in just his second game after joining the Cowboys. He missed the final five games with a hamstring injury.
In addition to Free, the Cowboys' other inactives for Sunday are: quarterback Dustin Vaughan, tackle Donald Hawkins, safety Jakar Hamilton, linebacker Keith Smith, linebacker James Anderson and defensive end Kenneth Boatright.
