Inactives for the Cowboys and Jets are in, and Tyron Smith and Mike Jenkins are both active for the Cowboys. Both are expected to start, though the Cowboys have not confirmed that Smith will start.
Cowboys inactives: Stephen McGee – third QB, Phillip Tanner, Terence Newman, David Arkin, Martellus Bennett, Clifton Geathers and Laurent Robinson.
Jets inactives: Kevin O’Connell – third QB, Logan Payne, Andrew Sendejo, Caleb Schlauderaff, Kendrick Ellis, Bilal Powell and Robert Turner.
Arkin’s deactivation means that Jermey Parnell, Kevin Kowalski and Derrick Dockery are the three offensive line backups. Parnell is the primary backup for Smith if he has problems.
Tashard Choice is active over Phillip Tanner despite all of the hand wringing over special teams. Kevin Ogletree, Jessey Holley and Dwayne Harris are all active, meaning that Harris could see time in the offense and that Dallas may use four receivers. Martin Rucker is also active, which suggests that he could also see offensive snaps.
The Cowboys have also made two somewhat surprising starting lineup changes on their defensive unit. Jason Hatcher will start ahead of Kenyon Coleman. Coleman is regarded as stronger against the run, but Hatcher was explosive in the preseason and could help Dallas create pressure. Sean Lee will start in place of Keith Brooking as the club looks to limit Brooking’s snaps. Brooking expects to play roughly half of the defensive plays.