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Pondering Cowboys' 46-man roster: Doug Free up or down?

IRVING, Texas – As we ponder the Dallas Cowboys' 46-man roster for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, the final question does not come down to the defensive line for the first time in a long time.

Instead, it’s the offensive line.

With Doug Free listed as doubtful and Zack Martin listed as questionable for the game, the Cowboys could be without the right side of their offensive line. They also have a banged-up DeMarco Murray, who is questionable because of a broken left hand.

But I don’t wonder whether Murray will play. The Cowboys would not have gone through the trouble to practice him this week if they didn’t think he had a chance of playing. So, to me, he’s in.

I believe Martin will play after the enthusiasm he showed Friday following a workout after practice.

Free’s condition is a concern. His ankle has been troubling him for a while and he finally couldn’t go in the second half last week. He missed three games earlier this season with a broken foot. If Free can’t go, Jermey Parnell will start at right tackle. The question is could Free be active as the swing tackle. That makes some sense, but if he can’t go then Tony Hills would take that role vs. the Colts.

With Josh Brent out for his second straight game with a calf injury, there is no decision to be made on the defensive line this week.

So here’s the guess at the inactives: quarterback Dustin Vaughan, Free, tackle Donald Hawkins, defensive end Kenneth Boatright, Brent, linebacker Dekoda Watson and safety Jakar Hamilton.