With the Dallas Cowboys set to open training camp Saturday, here is the first of a position-by-position look at their roster:
LINEBACKERS
Returning players: Sean Lee, Kyle Wilber, Andrew Gachkar, Mark Nzeocha, Rolando McClain, Damien Wilson, Anthony Hitchens, Derek Akunne (practice squad)
Gone from last season: None
New this season: Jaylon Smith (second-round pick), Deon King (undrafted free agent), Brandon Hepburn (free agent), Justin Durant (free agent)
Position coach: Matt Eberflus (sixth year as Cowboys linebackers coach)
Biggest issue: Who’s the middle linebacker? The Cowboys know they will be without McClain for the first 10 games, if not more, because of a suspension. Hitchens will get the first chance to handle the spot, but the club brought back Durant, a starter for them in 2013-14 in injury-shortened seasons, as protection. Hitchens has instincts to handle the job but he has been banged up at times in his first two years and that has limited him in practice.
Player to watch: Lee was named to his first Pro Bowl, albeit as an injury replacement, but he deserved the trip to Hawaii. He is the Cowboys’ best playmaker defensively. He is still looking to play his first full season. He played in 14 games last year, missing two with a concussion and hamstring issues. When he is on the field, he is a difference-maker. Lee did not take part in the offseason program as he recovered from a minor knee scope, but the Cowboys don’t expect it to be an issue when camp starts. In fact, they think the time off might have been a bonus considering how Lee works. They want to pace him a little bit to make sure he’s ready for Week 1.
Medical report: Smith will not play in his rookie season as he recovers from ligament tears and nerve damage suffered in his final college game. Jerry Jones will not close the door on Smith playing, but nerve regeneration takes time, and the Cowboys were comfortable in taking Smith because of his future if not his present. Given the lack of offseason work for McClain, who showed up only to the mandatory minicamp, and Durant, who signed in July, the Cowboys would be wise to work them in slowly to avoid injury.
Play it out: The Cowboys have kept six or seven linebackers on their 53-man roster over the years, depending on special-teams ability. They bring back the same core of players from last year but hope to get more from Wilson and Nzeocha, 2015 draft picks, as either rotational players defensively or core special-teamers. King was on the Cowboys’ draft board and visited the team before the draft, so they think he has a chance to make it. Injuries have hit this group in the past, so they will need to maintain quality depth.
Notable number: 9.5. McClain has 9.5 career sacks, which is tied with cornerback Orlando Scandrick for the most of any Cowboys defender entering the season. Yes, more than any Cowboys defensive lineman.
Quote board: “It was great to be able to play more and be more consistently on the football field. First of all I wish it would’ve turned into more wins for all of us, but it was nice to be out there and be able to play a lot the whole year. Hopefully it’s a building block to next year where I’ll play at a high level, be healthy, play 16 games hopefully and we’re back competing in the playoffs and for a championship.” -- Lee on his 2015 season after missing 2014 with a knee injury.
The series: