ARLINGTON, Texas -- As the Dallas Cowboys look to put together their first 46-man roster of the 2016 season for their opener against the New York Giants, some of the decisions are rather easy.
Tony Romo is out with his back injury. So too are linebacker Mark Nzeoacha (Achilles) and defensive end Charles Tapper (back).
That leaves four spots to reach the 46-man limit.
The Cowboys have 10 defensive backs on the 53-man roster, but it is impossible to dress all of them for the game. That puts rookies Kavon Frazier and Dax Swanson on the bubble, but both players can play a role on special teams.
The Cowboys have six running backs, including two fullbacks in Rod Smith and Keith Smith. If the Cowboys went out of their way to carry both of them, then they better be active for the game. They are core special-teamers. Because Rod Smith can play tailback, that means rookie Darius Jackson will not be needed.
The biggest question is along the offensive line. Do the Cowboys go with Ronald Leary as the backup along the interior or Joey Looney? Leary does not play center, which would require Zack Martin to move over if something were to happen to Travis Frederick. Looney can play all three interior spots and would not require a two-for-one move. But Leary makes $2.5 million this year. That’s a lot of money to be on the bench.
He was limited in practice during the week because of a groin strain that kept him out of the final two preseason games.
That might give the Cowboys the out today against the Giants.
So the guess at the inactives is: Romo, Nzeocha, Tapper, Leary, Jackson, Swanson and Frazier.
