IRVING, Texas – As we ponder the Dallas Cowboys’ 46-man roster for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, the team has to ponder what to do along the defensive line.
With defensive tackle Terrell McClain questionable because of a high left ankle sprain suffered in last Sunday's wild-card win against the Detroit Lions, the Cowboys have only three full-time defensive tackles on the roster: Nick Hayden, Tyrone Crawford and Josh Brent.
Brent has played two games in the last two years. The Cowboys could attempt to have Kenneth Boatright play some defensive tackle, but he doesn’t have McClain’s size. Neither does Jeremy Mincey.
Ken Bishop was called up from the practice squad as insurance on Saturday.
Do the Cowboys look for the bulk to help with Eddie Lacy pounding the ball or do they think they need more pass rush to contain Aaron Rodgers? Do they risk going with McClain, who might not last the full game, or Bishop?
The five inactives appear easy. Doug Free will miss his fourth straight game with an ankle injury. Donald Hawkins and Dustin Vaughan have been inactive for almost every game. Linebackers James Anderson and Keith Smith were inactive last week. The guess is McClain will not play and Bishop gets the spot over Boatright.
McClain said earlier in the week that he would play Sunday, but the coaches can’t factor in the emotions of a player. They need to look at it pragmatically.
