ARLINGTON -- Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) before Week 3 of the preseason and compared it to the NBA Finals or an NCAA Championship game for some players. For them, it could be their last chance to showcase their ability to the Cowboys and to the rest of the league.
For others, Week 3 is a chance to rest and celebrate their spot on the roster.
Nearly half of the Cowboys 90-man roster didn't suit up for Friday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. In total, 41 players were ruled out because they either injured or they were too important to risk injury.
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Many of those omissions were expected. Starters like quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and Javonte Williams, the presumed starting running back for the Cowboys, didn't play. There were a couple surprises on that list, however.
Cowboys corner Andrew Booth and linebacker Damone Clark were two guys that entered training camp with something to prove. They were players that were on the presumed roster bubble. After successful preseasons, both players were healthy scratches on Friday, all but sealing their spot on the 53-man roster.
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Another surprise was veteran running back Miles Sanders. Schottenheimer indicated on the team's pregame show that Sanders was "banged up." Sanders had a bone bruise in his knee earlier during training camp. He played in Week 2 of the preseason against the Ravens and struggled, just as the entire running game did. He finished his only preseason performance with seven carries for 15 yards.
The Cowboys will have some tough decisions before Tuesday's deadline to finalize an initial 53-man roster. If you want a clue at who's already made it, some of Friday's omissions could act as a signal.
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