Dallas Cowboys News

[DC_fan]

Cowboys cut Baylor, TCU receivers among others and put Orlando Scandrick on IR

From the Cowboys:

The Cowboys made 10 moves this afternoon to get down to the NFL-mandated 75-player limit heading into this week’s final preseason game against Houston. Here’s the list.

Reserve/PUP
OL Chaz Green (Florida)

Reserve/NFI
LB Mark Nzeocha (Wyoming)

Reserve/Injured
CB Orlando Scandrick (Boise State)

Waived/Injured
DE Kenneth Boatright (Southern Illinois)
T R.J. Dill (Rutgers)
RB Michael Hill (Missouri Western)

Waived
TE Brandon Barden (Vanderbilt)
LB Jonathan Brown (Illinois)
WR Antwan Goodley (Baylor)
WR David Porter (Texas Christian)

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2015/09/cowboys-make-roster-moves-to-get-to-75-player-limit.html/

For mine the surprise here was Porter, whom I thought would be on the roster at least till the final cuts were made

 

[DC_fan]

Cowboys release Malena, Agnew and could consider Denver’s Montee Ball

The vision the Cowboys had for replacing running back DeMarco Murray hasn’t changed much almost six months after the league-leading rusher bolted in free agency for a bigger payday in Philadelphia.

The Cowboys began making final cuts Friday as they trim their roster to the 53-man limit by the 3 p.m. Saturday deadline.

Not surprisingly, the Cowboys released running backs Gus Johnson and Ben Malena on Friday, sources said. The Cowboys also released fullback Ray Agnew.

That means Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar still stand atop of the Cowboys’ running back depth chart just as they did the day Dallas added McFadden via free agency in mid-March.

The Cowboys have said all along they believe Randle, McFadden and Dunbar can get the job done behind arguably the league’s best offensive line.

That doesn’t mean the Cowboys won’t be scouring the waiver wire over the next two days as clubs that could be long at running back make their final cuts.

The Cowboys could have some interest in Denver running back Montee Ball if he is released by the Broncos. Ball (5-10, 215) has fallen out of favor in Denver and finds himself on the roster bubble.

Ball, a 2013 second-round pick out of Wisconsin, struggled in the preseason with only 68 rushing yards on 32 carries and – after he was the No. 2 back in the offseason – is behind C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson.

To make the final roster, Ball would likely need the Broncos to keep four running backs. Ball began last season as the Broncos’ starter but was limited to five games because of a groin injury.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Friday on KRLD-FM that the club’s running back situation hasn’t changed a lot.

“I think it’s pretty obvious, the three backs that we think we can go to battle with, when you start talking about Joe Randle and Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar, those are the guys we’re looking at,” Jones said. “But when these cuts come and we look at some opportunities out there where somebody might be long at running back, then we’ll certainly compare what might be available to those three. And at the same time, we might consider carrying an extra running back as we go this season, and go short at another position. We’ll certainly be looking at everything.”

Malena, the former Cedar Hill and Texas A&M product, rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in the preseason.

Johnson, the undrafted rookie free agent from Stephen F. Austin, had an impressive preseason as well for the Cowboys. He started the first and fourth preseason games, finishing with 139 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries.

The Cowboys would like to re-sign Johnson to their practice squad Sunday if he clears waivers, a source said.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2...placing-demarco-murray-at-least-for-now.html/

No real surprises here. Agnew was gone as soon as the Cowboys decided Tyler Clutts was to be their fullback.

Interesting that the Cowboys could be showing some interest in Ball. He must be on the outer in Denver. if Dallas do sign him then one of the three RB's on the roster will be cut. The team will not carry 4 RB's

 

[DC_fan]

The Cowboys have released quarterbacks Dustin Vaughan and Jameill Showers. Either player could end up on the teams practise squad if they clear waivers.

Seventh round draft pick OL Laurence Gibson and rookie free agent OL Shane McDermott have also been released. Gibson is a real chance for the practise squad if he clears waivers.

 

[DC_fan]

Waived
Dustin Vaughan (West Texas A&M)
Jameill Showers (Texas-El Paso)
Gus Johnson (Stephen F. Austin)
Ben Malena (Texas A&M)
Ray Agnew (Southern Illinois)
Clyde Gates (Abilene Christian)
Nick Harwell (Kansas)
A.J. Jenkins (Illinois)
Laurence Gibson (Virginia Tech)
Shane McDermott (Miami)
John Wetzel (Boston College)
Ronald Patrick (South Carolina)
Ben Gardner (Stanford)
Efe Obada (No College)
Donnie Baggs (Texas A&M)
Dekorey Johnson (Kansas State)
Joel Ross (Appalachian State)
Tim Scott (North Carolina)

Waived/Injured
Ka’Lial Glaud (Rutgers)
Rod Sweeting (Georgia Tech)

Reserve/Suspended
Greg Hardy (Mississippi)
Rolando McClain (Alabama)

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...notable-cuts-cowboys-meet-53-man-roster-limit

 

[DC_fan]

COWBOYS 53-MAN ROSTER

Here’s a look at the Cowboys’ 53-man roster after they made final cuts Saturday before the 3 p.m. deadline:

QUARTERBACKS (2):

Tony Romo

Brandon Weeden

RUNNING BACKS (4):

Joseph Randle

Darren McFadden

Lance Dunbar

Tyler Clutts, FB

TIGHT ENDS (4):

Jason Witten

Gavin Escobar

James Hanna

Geoff Swaim

WIDE RECEIVERS (5):

Dez Bryant

Terrance Williams

Cole Beasley

Devin Street

Lucky Whitehead

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (8):

Tyron Smith

Ron Leary

Travis Frederick

Zack Martin

Doug Free

Mackenzy Bernadeau

La’el Collins

Darrion Weems

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (11):

DeMarcus Lawrence

Jeremy Mincey

Tyrone Crawford

Nick Hayden

Randy Gregory

Terrell McClain

Jack Crawford

Ryan Russell

Lavar Edwards

Davon Coleman

Ken Bishop

LINEBACKERS (7):

Sean Lee

Andrew Gachkar

Anthony Hitchens

Kyle Wilber

Keith Smith

Damien Wilson

Jasper Brinkley

DEFENSIVE BACKS (9):

Brandon Carr, CB

Morris Claiborne, CB

Tyler Patmon, CB

Corey White, CB/S

Byron Jones, CB/S

Barry Church, S

J.J. Wilcox, S

Jeff Heath, S

Danny McCray, S

SPECIALISTS (3):

Dan Bailey, K

Chris Jones, P

L.P. Ladouceur, LS

Note: DE Greg Hardy and LB Rolando McClain each started their four-game suspensions Saturday and don’t count on the active roster; also CB Orlando Scandrick is on club’s injured reserve list and doesn’t count on final roster

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/da...to-53-but-more-roster-moves-may-be-coming.ece

 

[DC_fan]

Cowboys claim offensive tackle Jordan Mills and waive LB Brinkley Waived

Dallas claimed two-year veteran tackle Jordan Mills off waivers from Chicago. The 6-5, 316 pounder was drafted by the Bears in the 5th round of the 2013 draft. To make room on the roster for his signing they released LB Jasper Brinkley.

 

[Haffa]

Isn't Christine Michael on the Roster after the trade? I can see him pushing for a starting role.

 

[DC_fan]

Isn't Christine Michael on the Roster after the trade? I can see him pushing for a starting role.

You are correct. It was a trade completed in the past 48 hours. His signing brings the RB numbers to four. I really don't see the team keeping that number too far in to the season. They have a four week leeway till Greg Hardy and Rolando McClain complete their respective suspensions. To fit those two in the roster they will have to release two players. I suspect one of those two will be a RB. So the RB's have that long to show Garrett what they can offer the team. Michael has as much chance of making the team as the other three. But in saying that he needs to lift his game over what he has shown in the past two years.

 

[DC_fan]

Preview

Dallas Cowboys 0-0 (0-0) v New York Giants 0-0 (0-0)
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Date: Mon September 14th
Time: 10.30pm AEST
Expected Weather: Partly cloudy and 31 degrees Celsius
TV coverage: ESPN 10.15am & 7Mate 10.30am

History:
All-time results: Cowboys lead series 61-43-2
Streak: Cowboys won four straight
Last ten games: Cowboys lead 6-4
Last Cowboys win: 2014
Cowboys biggest win: 52-7 in 1966
Last Giants win: 2012
Giants biggest win: 41-10 in 1962
Results in Dallas: Cowboys lead 33-20-1
Streak: Cowboys won last two games
Last ten games: Tied at 5-5
Last Cowboys win: 2014
Cowboys biggest win: 52-7 in 1966
Last Giants win: 2011
Eagles biggest win: 41-10 in 1962

A Cowboys win would
Improve the Cowboys season-opening record to 37-18-1 and the home season-opening record to 17-8-1
Extend Dallas’ opening day record against the Giants to 8-0
Up the Cowboys win streak over the Giants to five games, the longest streak since a five –game streak 1992-94
Give Dallas its league-best 27th win on Sunday Night |Football

On this day 13th September
Dallas has played six times on this date and their record reads 3-3, winning their most recent game in 2009. They played the Giants on this date in 1992 in Dallas winning 34-28.

Head Coaches
Jason Garrett Cowboys 42-32
Tom Coughlin Giants 176-147


Injury Report
Dallas
]Dez Bryant WR Hamstring Probable
James Hanna TE Knee Probable
Anthony Hitchens OLB Foot Probable
Zack Martin G Neck Probable
Danny McCray DB Neck Probable
Tony Romo QB Back Probable
Devin Street WR Ankle Probable
Brandon Weeden QB Concussion Probable
J.J. Wilcox FS Neck Probable
Jordan Mills OT Probable

New York
Jon Beason LB Knee Out
Jonathan Casiilas LB Neck Probable
Victor Cruz WR Calf Out
Cullen Jenkins DT Hamstring Probable
Owa Odighizuwa DE Foot Probable

Likely Cowboys line up
Offense
QB: Tony Romo #9
RB: Joseph Randle #21
WR: Dez Bryant #88 & Terrance Williams #83
TE: Jason Witten #82 & Gavin Escobar #89
LT: Tyron Smith #77
LG: Ron Leary #65
C: Travis Frederick #72
RG: Zack Martin #70
RT: Doug Free #68



Defense
LDE: DeMarcus Lawrence #90
DT: Nick Hayden #96
DT: Tyrone Crawford #98
RDE: Jeremy Mincey #92
OLB: Sean Lee #50
MLB: Anthony Hitchens #59
OLB: Kyle Wilber #51
LCB: Brandon Carr #39
RCB: Morris Claiborne #24
SS: Barry Church #42
FS: J.J. Wilcox #27

Cowboy milestones to look for
Career
Receiving
Dez Bryant requires 2 receptions to pass Tony Dorsett (382) for 6th place on the Cowboys Career Receiving Receptions list.

Result:
Season opening games are always exciting. The Cowboys have a good record in these games and I expect that to continue here,
Dallas 42 NY Giants 20

 

[DC_fan]

Dallas Cowboys 2015 "Player of the Year" points vs New York Giants (Wk 1)

Offense
Tony Romo QB 3
Jason Witten TE 2
Tyron Smith OT 1

Defense
Tyrone Crawford DT 3
Tyler Patmon CB 2
JJ Wilcox S 1

Leader board for the 2015 season

Offense (Emmitt Smith Trophy)
Tony Romo QB 3
Jason Witten TE 2
Tyron Smith OT 1

Defense (Bob Lilly Trophy)
Tyrone Crawford DT 3
Tyler Patmon CB 2
JJ Wilcox S 1

 

[DC_fan]

Dez Bryant undergoes surgery early Monday evening

Dez Bryant underwent surgery early Monday evening to repair the fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

Head coach Jason Garrett and other club officials have announced a four-to-six week time frame for his return. Sources said six week appears to be the most reasonable estimate but concede the Pro Bowl receiver could be out for up to eight weeks, putting his return in early November.

Bryant appeared to suffer the injury in the first minute of the fourth quarter after picking up a five-yard reception on a crossing pattern. The injury, commonly known as a Jones fracture, requires a screw be placed in the foot.

The injury ends a streak of 63-consecutive regular season starts for Bryant. His last absence came in Week Two of the 2011 against the San Francsico 49ers.

DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a similar injury last season and was out for seven weeks. Receiver Michael Crabtree, now with the Oakland Raiders, was out even longer due to complications.

If Bryant is able to return in six weeks, that would make him available for the Cowboys rematch against the Giants on Oct. 25.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/da...nt-undergoes-surgery-early-monday-evening.ece

 

[DC_fan]

Dallas Cowboys working out 4 WRs on Tuesday, including former Giants starter Hakeem Nicks

As Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Monday, no one can replace receiver Dez Bryant.

But the Cowboys have started the process of looking for some wide receiver depth with Bryant out at least the next six weeks with a fractured right foot that was surgically repaired Monday.

The Cowboys are working out four receivers Tuesday, including former New York Giants starter Hakeem Nicks.

Austin Pettis, Nick Toon and Clyde Gates will also workout for the Cowboys. Gates was among the Cowboys' final roster cuts two weeks ago.

Nicks, 27, spent his first five seasons with the Giants before playing in 2014 for Indianapolis. Nicks has 349 career catches for 5,027 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Nicks signed a one-year contract in the offseason with Tennessee but was among the Titans' final roster cuts. The Giants drafted Nicks in the first round in 2009, 29th overall out of North Carolina.

Toon was a fourth-round pick in 2012 by the Saints. He played in eight games in 2013 and eight more in 2014 for the Saints, catching 21 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown.

Pettis was a third-round pick in 2011 by St. Louis. He played four seasons for the Rams, making 11 starts. He has 107 career catches for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/da...luding-former-giants-starter-hakeem-nicks.ece

 

[DC_fan]

Preview


Dallas Cowboys 1-0 (0-0) v Philadelphia Eagles 0-1 (0-0)
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Date: Mon September 21st
Time: 6.30am
Expected Weather: Partly cloudy and 26 degrees Celsius
TV coverage: 7Mate 6.30am

History:
All-time results: Cowboys lead series 63-49
Streak: Cowboys won last game
Last ten games: Cowboys tied 5-5
Last Cowboys win: 2014
Cowboys biggest win: 56-7 in 1966
Last Eagles win: 2014
Eagles biggest win: 43-7 in 1961
Results in Philadelphia: Series tied 27-27
Streak: Cowboys won last two games
Last ten games: Cowboys lead 7-3
Last Cowboys win: 2014
Cowboys biggest win: 42-7 in 1971
Last Eagles win: 2011
Eagles biggest win: 44-6 in 2008

Series Notables
·Dallas has faced no team more than Philadelphia (112 times) and has defeated them more times (63) than all but one team (Washington – 65)
·The Cowboys won 11 consecutive games over the Eagles from 1967-72
·Dallas and Philadelphia have combined to win 25 of a possible 44 NFC Eastern Division titles


A Cowboys win would
·Improve the Cowboys 2015 record to 2-0, the first time since 2008, and the 25th overall
·Increase Dallas road record to 10 games the longest since a 10-game streak in 2006-07

On this day 20th September
Dallas has played six times on this date and their record reads 5-1, losing their most recent game on this date in 2009 to the NY Giants.

Head Coaches
Jason Garrett (Cowboys) 43-32
Chip Kelly(Eagles) 20-14

Team Statistics


Offense
Passing: Cowboys 356 yds (2nd) Eagles 336 yds (4th)
Rushing: Cowboys 80 yds (21st) Eagles 63 yds (30th)
Points: Cowboys27 (11th)Eagles24 (17th)

Defense
Passing: Cowboys 190 yds (14th) Eagles 290 yds (26th)
Rushing: Cowboys 99 yds (17th) Eagles 105 yds (19th)
Points: Cowboys 26 (18th) Eagles 26 (18th)

Player Statistics
Passing:
Tony Romo (Dal) 36 comp, 45 atts, 356 yds,3 tds,2 int, 0 sks & 103.3 rating
Sam Bradford (Phi) 36 comp, 52 comp, 336 yds, 1 td, 2 int, 0 sks & 77.1 rating

Rushing:
Joseph Randle (Dal) 16 atts, 65 yds, 4.1 ave & 0 tds
Darren Sprolles (Phi) 5 atts, 50 yds, 10.0 ave & 0 tds

Receiving:
Lance Dunbar (Dal) 8 rec, 70 yds, 8.8 ave & 0 tds
Jordan Matthews (Phi) 10 rec, 102 yds, 10.2 ave & 0 tds

Scoring:
Dan Bailey (Dal) 2 fg, 3 xp, 0 tds for 9 pts
Cody Parkey (Phi) 1 fg, 3 xp, 0 tds for 6 pts

Sacks:
Tyrone Crawford (Dal) 1
Fletcher Cox (Phi) 1

Intercepts:
Dallas
0
Philadelphia
Walter Thurmond (Phi) & Kiko Alonso 1 apiece

Injury Report


Dallas Cowboys
Dez Bryant, WR Out
Randy Gregory, DEOut
Ronald Leary, OG Doubtful
James Hanna, TE Questionable
Tony Romo, QB Probable

Philadelphia Eagles
Seyi Ajirotutu, WR Out
Marcus Smith, LB Probable

Likely Cowboys line up
Offense
QB: Tony Romo #9
RB: Joseph Randle #21
WR: Devin Street #15 & Terrance Williams #83
TE: Jason Witten #82 & Gavin Escobar #89
LT: Tyron Smith #77
LG: Ron Leary #65 (La’el Collins #71)
C: Travis Frederick #72
RG: Zack Martin #70
RT: Doug Free #68


Defense
LDE: DeMarcus Lawrence #90
DT: Nick Hayden #96
DT: Tyrone Crawford #98
RDE: Jeremy Mincey #92
OLB: Sean Lee #50
MLB: Anthony Hitchens #59
OLB: Kyle Wilber #51
LCB: Brandon Carr #39
RCB: Morris Claiborne #24
SS: Barry Church #42
FS: J.J. Wilcox #27


Result:
A tough game for Dallas in the Eagles home owner. The Cowboys will miss Bryant and we need Williams to step up. Dallas have a good record of late in Philadelphia and that should continue here.

Dallas 27 Philadelphia 19

 

[DC_fan]

Dallas Cowboys 2015 "Player of the Year" points vs Philadelphia Eagles(Wk 2)

Offense
Joseph Randle RB 3
Brandon Weeden QB 2
Terrance Williams WR1

Defense
Sean Lee LB 3
Tyler Patmon CB 2
Barry Church S 1

Leader board for the 2015 season

Offense (Emmitt Smith Trophy)
Tony Romo QB 3
Joseph Randle RB 3
Jason Witten TE 2
Brandon Weeden QB 2
Tyron Smith OT 1
Terrance Williams WR 1


Defense (Bob Lilly Trophy)
Tyler Patmon CB 4
Tyrone Crawford DT 3
Sean Lee LB 3
Barry Church S 1
JJ Wilcox S 1

 

[DC_fan]

Romo out at least eight weeks

Doctors have determined that Tony Romo will not require surgery for a fractured left clavicle that is expected to keep him out for at least eight weeks, sources said.

The Cowboys quarterback injured the collarbone in the third quarter of the team's win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday afternoon. X-rays revealed the break and Monday's follow-up CT scan ruled out the need for surgery. Sources said it's realistic to expect that Romo will be able to return in eight weeks, which would put him on the field for the Cowboys game at Miami on Nov. 22.

Here's the twist: the Cowboys quickly follow with their Thanksgiving Day matchup, giving them two games in five days. That's a heavy workload for something coming off a long layoff.

Club officials and head coach Jason Garrett were discussing Monday afternoon whether or not to put Romo on the injured/designated return list. If Romo goes on that list, he must miss eight games and would not be allowed to practice with the team for six weeks.

Sources said the break was close to the fracture Romo endured in 2010, but that does not complicate or impact the recovery time for this injury.

"It never feels good whenever you get hurt, especially with the way I feel about our football team and the way the guys played tonight,'' Romo said after the game. "I'll be ready to go when I come back.''

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/da...ted-out-8-weeks-cowboys-qb-tweets-to-fans.ece

The question is what to do with Romo. Placing Hom on injured reserve designated to return would allow the team to sign another QB without having to cut another player. The next question is who will be that quarterback?

 

[DC_fan]

Blocked Punts Returned for Touchdowns

A huge play in the Dallas Cowboys’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday was Danny McCray’s blocked punt, which Kyle Wilbur returned for a touchdown.

I have heard a number of different estimates about the last time the Cowboys returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, but most of the estimates I heard were wrong.

According to the data on Pro-Football-Reference, the last time the Cowboys returned any type of blocked kick for a touchdown was 2007, when Pat Watkins returned a blocked field goal 68 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.

We have to look back to 1992 for the last time the Cowboys scored on a blocked punt. In week 2 of that season, Robert Williams scored after the Cowboys blocked a Sean Landeta punt.

That was actually Williams’s second career touchdown from a blocked punt. One year earlier, he scored after Dallas had blocked a Greg Montgomery punt against the Houston Oilers.

Here is a list of all five times the Cowboys have scored on blocked punts.

1977: Charlie Waters scored after a blocked punt in a 16-10 win over the Eagles.

1985: Jesse Penn returned a blocked punt 46 yards for a touchdown in a 50-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

1991: Robert Williams returned a blocked punt 18 yards for a touchdown in a 26-23 loss to the Houston Oilers.

1992: Robert Williams recovered a blocked punt and scored in a 34-28 win over the New York Giants.

2015: Kyle Wilbur returned a blocked punt 26 yards for a score in a 20-10 win over the Eagles.

http://www.knowyourdallascowboys.com

 

[Shorty]

The question is what to do with Romo. Placing Hom on injured reserve designated to return would allow the team to sign another QB without having to cut another player. The next question is who will be that quarterback?

Looking at Christian Ponder, Josh Johnson and Matt Flynn.
People are suggesting Mettenberger which I'd agree with, they need to start looking at the future...just previous to the draft I was thinking that.

Looking at that list it would probably Christian Ponder but he doesn't fill me with confidence.
Watching Weeden the other day he definitely has improved and having the same OC has helped I'd say, really, all he needs to be is solid and make a few throws.

I expect Dallas to think about future QBs because this is Romo's 2nd broken clavicle on that side and his back won't get any better.

 

[DC_fan]

Looking at Christian Ponder, Josh Johnson and Matt Flynn.
People are suggesting Mettenberger which I'd agree with, they need to start looking at the future...just previous to the draft I was thinking that.

Looking at that list it would probably Christian Ponder but he doesn't fill me with confidence.
Watching Weeden the other day he definitely has improved and having the same OC has helped I'd say, really, all he needs to be is solid and make a few throws.

I expect Dallas to think about future QBs because this is Romo's 2nd broken clavicle on that side and his back won't get any better.

I heard about Ponder and Flynn. In the short term both could do a reasonable job as backup. The problem would be, if Weeden doesn't work out then I don't see either of those two being #1.

As shown by giving him 2 points in the players ratings I thought he had a good game. Hope it continues.

 

[DC_fan]

Cowboys defensive line takes hit with Terrell McClain injury

IRVING, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys' defensive line took another hit with Terrell McClain going on season-ending injured reserve because of a toe injury suffered in Sunday’s win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

McClain played 23 snaps in the win but was replaced late in the game by Davon Coleman. In the season-opening win against the New York Giants, rookie defensive end Randy Gregory suffered a high ankle sprain that could keep him out for two more games.

The Cowboys will be without defensive end Greg Hardy for two more games because of a suspension.

McClain’s injury is similar to the toe injury that knocked Sean Lee out for the final 10 games of the 2012 season. He will need surgery.

McClain was credited by the coaches with five tackles in the first two games. He was a valuable part of the Cowboys’ line rotation, but his snaps will now go to Coleman and likely Ken Bishop, who was inactive the first two games.

With Tony Romo being placed on the injured reserve/designated to return list and McClain out for the year, the Cowboys have two spots open on their 53-man roster.

The Cowboys re-signed running back Gus Johnson to the practice squad after linebacker Joe Thomas was signed to the Green Bay Packers’ active roster on Monday.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowb...ve-line-takes-hit-with-terrell-mcclain-injury

McClain has played solidly in the first two games and will be missed. Time for both Coleman and Bishop to step up. The former was a starter at the beginning of last season but then his form dropped off.

 

[DC_fan]

Tony Romo placed on short-term IR, out until at least Nov. 22


IRVING, Texas -- The next game Tony Romo is eligible to start is on Nov. 22 against the Miami Dolphins.

The Dallas Cowboys placed their starting quarterback on the injured reserve/designated to return list on Tuesday, which will keep him out for the next eight weeks as he recovers from a broken left collarbone. Romo will not have surgery to repair the collarbone.

Romo will miss seven games because of the Cowboys' Oct. 18 bye week.

Brandon Weeden will be the starter in Romo's absence, and the team is working out Christian Ponder, Josh Johnson, Matt Flynn and McLeod Bethel-Thompson, though it may also look to call up Kellen Moore from the practice squad.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday in a radio interview that he's confident that Weeden can handle the job.

"He's a thing of beauty on throwing a football. His passing motion and his arm, frankly, you won't see a more gifted passer, power, accuracy, the entire aspect of it. If he can basically prepare, be the starting quarterback, come in and execute and keep his head right, then I feel good about Weeden," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan Dallas/Fort Worth.

The move to short-term injured reserve opens up a roster spot for the Cowboys. Last year, the Cowboys placed defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence on the list at the start of the season because of a foot injury and he missed the first eight games of his rookie season.

Had the Cowboys placed wide receiver Dez Bryant, who is recovering from foot surgery, on the list, then they would have had to have keep Romo on the 53-man roster. A team can use the designation on only one player.

Romo suffered the same injury in 2010 in a Week 7 loss to the New York Giants. The Cowboys held out hope he could return at some point but placed him on injured reserve with two games to go. Garrett, who was named the Cowboys' interim coach after eight games that season, said Romo was close to returning.

But the decision came down to "the value of bringing him back and potentially risking him breaking it again," Garrett said. "We decided against it because we weren't in playoff contention."

Under the injured reserve rules, Romo will not be able to practice for six weeks, though it's unlikely he would have been cleared to do so anyway.

The Cowboys could have a decision to make on when Romo returns to game action. While he will be eligible to play Nov. 22 against the Dolphins, the Cowboys have a short week of preparation for their Thanksgiving matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Would it be wiser to wait until the Panthers' game instead of having Romo play two games in five days after a two-month absence?

A lot of it could depend on the Cowboys' success in Romo's absence.

If Weeden is able to keep the Cowboys afloat, then that might buy them time in Romo's return.

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story...las-cowboys-placed-short-term-injured-reserve