The Cowboys and Broncos open their preseason Thursday night with both teams expected to play starters for one or two drives each. That means Tony Romo, Felix Jones, Jason Witten, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Doug Free, Kyle Kosier, DeMarcus Ware, Bradie James, Kyle Orton, Brandon Lloyd, Ryan Clady, Elvis Dumervil and Champ Bailey will all be in baseball caps by the end of the first quarter.
Both teams will probably play young players slated as first teamers, like Tyron Smith, Von Miller, Sean Lee, Rahim Moore and David Arkin, into the second quarter, and Tim Tebow – possibly the most talked about player on ESPN this training camp – and Stephen McGee should get ample time. Brady Quinn also figures to play a good deal.
According to Mile High Report, D.J. Williams, Syd’Quan Thompson, Demaryius Thomas, Nate Irving, Louis Leonard, Mitch Unrein and Richard Quinn are not expected to play for the Broncos.
For the Cowboys, Montrae Holland, Andre Gurode, rookies Bruce Carter and DeMarcus Murray, Tashard Choice, Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins will not play, and Jay Ratliff and Keith Brooking are also expected to sit out.
In addition to the rookies, Abram Elam and Kenyon Coleman, the Cowboys’ two free agent additions, will make their Dallas reunion debuts. Brodrick Bunkley, Willis McGahee and Ty Warren are due to make their debuts with the Broncos.
The matchup of the game may be former Aggie and second overall pick Von Miller matching up against Tyron Smith whenever Miller looks to rush the passer.