In contrast to Week 1, there isn’t a ton of thriller in who the Cowboys will make inactive forward of Sunday afternoon’s recreation. Dallas went into the Tampa Bay matchup comparatively wholesome. Everybody knew Michael Gallup was out, however the damage report was comparatively suppose with Tyron Smith and James Washington on IR. Security Jayron Kearse was the one query mark final week, as a neck damage popped up on Friday and made him questionable (he would play). The Cowboys have been clearly going to have a bunch of wholesome scratches and it might come right down to technique, not attrition.
In Week 2, although, issues are totally different. The damage bug jumped up and took a piece of flesh out of the roster, with Dallas ruling 5 gamers out already. That implies that Dallas gained’t must rule out as many wholesome gamers, however brings up one other dynamic. The Cowboys might want to make some roster strikes as a result of a number of gamers who might want to swimsuit up are at the moment on the observe squad. Additionally, game-day energetic rosters can have 48 gamers, so long as no less than eight are offensive linemen. The Cowboys had eight lineman on the 53-man roster and no less than one is already dominated out. Right here’s our greatest guess as to the way it will all shake out, from name ups to transferring gamers to IR.
The Cowboys might want to add Cooper Rush, Will Grier and Brett Maher from the observe squad. Two can be referred to as up, however 1 will must be named to the energetic roster.
Predict that Rush will get named to the roster, the opposite 2 are elevations. So who will get lower or despatched to IR? The Cowboys are most likely capable of face up to shedding Basham greater than McGovern, Kearse. He goes to IR.
Now Cowboys must carry up somebody to have 8 OL on game-day roster.
Smith, Farniok, Biadasz, Martin, Steele, Ball, Waltezko, Alec Lindstrom or Peters
Cowboys can’t elevate Isaac Alarcon as a result of he’s an IPP exemption and must have that contract cancelled and be on the PS for 3 weeks earlier than he might be elevated. So if there’s an damage to Farniok or Martin, then Tyler Smith has to maneuver inside. The workforce must activate Lindstrom to guard a
Prediction: DE Tarell Basham moved to IR
(AP Photograph/Michael Ainsworth)
The Cowboys are going to have to maneuver no less than one participant off the 53-man roster. That may very well be an outright launch for somebody or transferring considered one of their injured gamers to IR. Out of Basham, security Jayron Kearse and guard Connor McGovern, defensive finish is the place with essentially the most veteran depth obtainable to step in for no less than 4 video games. Basham isn’t a starter and his rotational snaps can go to Dante Fowler, Chauncey Golstron and rookie Sam Williams.
The others are tougher selections to placed on the shelf for no less than 4 weeks.
Prediction: Add QB Cooper Rush to 53-man roster
Dallas went into the season with each of their backup QBs on the observe squad, planning to make use of game-day elevations for some time however finally figuring out they’d have to make a extra everlasting transfer. Prescott’s thumb damage is that catalyst and seeing how Rush goes to be the starter (no less than for now) the membership will probably add him to the complete roster.
Prediction: Transfer Security Jayron Kearse to IR
The Cowboys are going to have so as to add a complete of 4 gamers to the energetic roster on Sunday and since solely two elevations are doable. The query is which place will they like being down a person for a month, guard or security. The guess right here is security, but it surely’s a 51-49 kind of guess that Kearse (MCL) is positioned on IR as an alternative of Connor McGovern (excessive ankle).
Anticipate Israel Mukamu or Markquese Bell (or each?) to be energetic on Sunday.
Depart OL Isaac Alarcon on the observe squad
The Cowboys have an apparent depth difficulty at guard, however Alarcon gained’t have the ability to assist. As a part of the Worldwide Pathway program, the Cowboys get a roster exemption for Alarcon to be on the observe squad. The principles modified, the place IPP guys at the moment are capable of play throughout a season, however there are guidelines. The IPP contract should be severed and the participant signed to an precise observe squad contract. He has to stay on the PS for 3 weeks earlier than being elevated or activated. So although Dallas solely has Matt Farniok and Zack Martin as guards, they’ll must do one thing else right here if both goes down.
Prediction: Add OT Jason Peters to 53-man roster
So the query here’s what contingency will Dallas want to organize for essentially the most?
If one of many guards will get damage, the one possibility Dallas has (to play somebody with guard expertise) is to maneuver Tyler Smith inside from left deal with. Dallas has two choices on the roster to come back in and play, and whereas neither Matt Waletzko or Josh Ball are supreme, they’re there.
If there’s an damage to Tyler Biadasz, will the Cowboys need to shift Farniok to middle, due to this fact requiring Smith to play guard?
So the query is two-fold. One, whether or not or not Jason Peters is added to the roster or UDFA rookie middle Alec Lindstrom. Two, whether or not that addition is within the type of an elevation or including to the roster.
My guess is Peters is added to the 53-man roster and made energetic.
Prediction: Elevate kicker Brett Maher
Maher nailed his solely kick of Week 1, a 51-yarder that break up the uprights. He’s actually a candidate to be made part of all the roster, however I believe the membership would quite “honor” Peters with the full-time contract than the kicker who might go south at any minute (as all kickers might).
I’ve confidence in Maher for the season, simply suppose he’ll have to attend his flip.
Prediction: Cowboys elevate QB Will Grier
There’s no query Grier is serving as backup QB towards the Bengals, it’s simply whether or not or not he’s a observe squad elevation or full-on addition to the roster. We predict the previous.
Prediction: LB Jabril Cox inactive (wholesome scratch)
It was a little bit of a shock to most that Cox was left in road garments final week, however has something modified on the linebacker degree to make Dallas transfer away from no matter led them right here?
Prediction: NT John Ridgeway inactive (wholesome scratch)
No adjustments right here because the Ridgeway appeared inexperienced within the preseason and there’s no elevated want for DT depth in the mean time.
Prediction: WR Jalen Tolbert can be inactive (wholesome scratch)
There was an enormous stink main as much as Week 1 about Tolbert’s readiness and this week Mike McCarthy addressed why he left the third-round decide behind. Tolbert’s hamstring damage, mixed with the membership placing a ton on his plate and lack of particular groups prowess stored him on the sideline.
With no adjustments on the WR place, regardless of the flowery speak we see Tolbert sitting out as soon as once more.
Prediction: CB Nahshon Wright can be inactive (wholesome scratch)
Like Ridgeway, Wright was considered one of our predictions final week and nothing has modified right here.
Prediction: QB Dak Prescott can be inactive (thumb)
Prediction: WR Michael Gallup can be inactive (knee)
Prediction: Guard Connor McGovern can be inactive (ankle)
