ARLINGTON, Texas -- As is turns out, the Hall of Fame Game was a good thing for the Dallas Cowboys.
When the schedule was released, perhaps many associated with the team did not want a fifth preseason game. However, with Jerry Jones’ induction it was a foregone conclusion the Cowboys would play in Canton, Ohio.
Even with the cancellation of Thursday’s preseason finale against the Houston Texans, the Cowboys were able to play four preseason games and give themselves ample time to make evaluations on players at the bottom of the roster.
Final cuts to the roster come Saturday and the Texans game offered the possibility for a player to cement a spot on the roster or make one final case for a spot.
“A lot of the young guys who would’ve played in this game tomorrow night have played a lot of football for us, so it is what it is,” coach Jason Garrett said. “We’re not going to be able to bring another team in here and have a game. So with practice tomorrow we’ll do some kind of competitive situation and we’ll continue that evaluation and then make the final decisions.”
The Cowboys starters and key contributors were not going to play against the Texans anyway, but a game could have helped determine spots.
Backup quarterback
The Cowboys have given undrafted rookie Cooper Rush snaps the last week-plus with the No. 2 offense because of how well he played in the preseason with six touchdown passes and no interceptions. It also spoke to how not-so-well Kellen Moore played after the Hall of Fame Game. In all likelihood the Cowboys will keep three quarterbacks. The question going into the regular season is whether Rush will be No. 2 to Dak Prescott.
Young secondary
The Cowboys were hoping to see Chidobe Awuzie and Xavier Woods play against the Texans after they missed the last two preseason games with hamstring injuries. They have worked back into practice this week, which should help them get ready to play the Giants, but game speed for rookies can’t be replicated in practice.
Punt returner
Like Awuzie and Woods, Ryan Switzer’s camp has been washed out by a hamstring strain. He didn’t play in any of the preseason games. He has worked into team drills the last few days, but he is expected to make his biggest contribution as the punt returner. He will be able to field enough punts in practice to get used to it, but it would have been better to see him do it with another team trying to tackle him.
Left guard
Jonathan Cooper looks to be the favorite to be the starter right now. It is possible Chaz Green could benefit from there not being a game as he is out with an ankle injury. Cooper has worked with the first group this week with Green on the shelf. Byron Bell has worked almost exclusively at tackle in the last few weeks after he started the preseason game at guard against the Los Angeles Rams.