IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys signed four players this summer that played in a preseason game without the benefit of a full practice: Kory Lindley, Johnny Thomas, Phillip Tanner and Jamea Thomas.

Lindley and Johnny Thomas have been cut. Tanner is a long shot. Jemea Thomas has the best chance to make the Cowboys’ final roster.

The Cowboys claimed Thomas off waivers from the New England Patriots on Wednesday and he had five tackles in Thursday’s loss to the Denver Broncos.

The Cowboys needed a defensive back to get through the game, but Jason Garrett said Thomas is more than a space-filler. He was a sixth-round pick of the Patriots. The Patriots played him at cornerback, but the Cowboys used him at safety and will not have Jakar Hamilton for the first four games because of an NFL suspension.

"We liked him a lot coming out of school, a versatile guy," Garrett said. "So we had our eyes on him when he got released and thought it could be a good opportunity to bring him in and see how he did."

The Cowboys also used undrafted rookie Tyler Patmon more in the slot against the Broncos with Sterling Moore playing outside. With Orlando Scandrick out the first four games because of a suspension, Moore will take over as the nickel corner, but the Cowboys wanted to get Patmon more game action Thursday.

"You feel like you have a lot of depth there because you have four or five cornerbacks, but if something happens, all of the sudden all those roles start to change," Garrett said. "Who is going where? What we feel good about each of those guys is that they have some position flex. They can play both outside and they can play inside. If things happen, they can address some issues, and that’s a really good trait for them to have."