PHILADELPHIA – In a game with nothing on the line, finding seven inactive players would not be difficult, except the Dallas Cowboys will not go into Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles with any other idea other than winning.
The Cowboys placed Tyron Smith and Orlando Scandrick on injured reserve on Friday, which is the closest they would come to conceding. But neither would have been able to play anyway, so the moves are more about rewarding practice squad players to get a call up to the active roster.
In looking for seven inactive players, health will play a big part.
David Irving has been ruled out of his fourth straight game because of a concussion. Benson Mayowa missed two practices because of illness and has been ruled out. Cole Beasley did not practice all week because he was sick and was ruled out Saturday. Rod Smith is questionable because of an illness and a sore back.
With Beasley out the Cowboys can go with five receivers, but they might want to get one of their practice squad call-ups, wide receiver Lance Lenoir, some playing time. If Smith can play, then maybe the Cowboys consider going with just him and Ezekiel Elliott and make Alfred Morris inactive, since he did not get a carry in Elliott’s return last week.
Three more inactive players are easy to figure: tight end Blake Jarwin since there’s no need for a fourth tight end, tackle Kadeem Edwards and linebacker Tre’Von Johnson, who are the other practice squad call-ups.
If Smith is healthy enough to play then the final spot on the active roster would come down to Lenoir, Morris, defensive tackle Lewis Neal or defensive tackle Richard Ash.
So the guess at the inactives, for one final time in 2017, is: Beasley, Jarwin, Edwards, Johnson, Mayowa, Irving and Neal.
