No elevations, Cowboys 53-man roster playing with tackle fire vs Giants - Cowboys Wire
The Dallas Cowboys went through the majority of their offseason in very good health. There were a couple of guys who emerged from last season needing to rehab over the spring and summer, most notably cornerback DaRon Bland and edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku. But both entered training camp ready to go, and the team didn't lose any major parts of their plan throughout the work in Oxnard, CA or in the preseason.
But upon returning to Dallas and preparing for Sunday's season opener against the New York Giants, the club had to put Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith on IR with a thumb injury and backup RB Malik Davis (hip) will soon join him. That made the roster moves the club planned on making before the matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday night, a bit more complicated.
The Cowboys promoted Nick Leverett to the 53-man roster to replace Smith, and he'll be the primary interior swing player as TJ Bass takes Smith's place in the starting lineup. Filling in for Davis as RB2 will be the recently signed Emari Demarcdo, but Dallas has promoted RB Israel Abanikanda from the practice squad to take RB3 duties.
Surprisingly, Dallas did not take advantage of the opportunity to elevate any players, temporarily, from the practice squad. Wanya Morris, signed after the cutdowns, remains on the practice squad.
Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele, along with recently-extended TE Brevyn Spann-Ford, will carry the duties on the edge.
That means that Broderick Jones and Drew Shelton β two players who most don't think are ready for action β will be the backup tackles. Jones underwent spinal surgery this offseason and is well below his normal playing weight. Shelton, a fourth-round pick out of Penn State, has looked overmatched in exhibitions and joint practices. Ajani Cornelius, who was drafted as a tackle but has primarily practiced at guard this offseason, could be used in a pinch.
Here's a look at the club's 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's inactives, which will be announced 90 minutes before kickoff.
