Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Pondering Cowboys' 46: Too many DL

IRVING, Texas -- With 10 defensive linemen on the 53-man roster, the Dallas Cowboys are making sure they are covered up front after going through so many linemen last season.

But in getting to the 46-man roster, it creates something of a dilemma.

Josh Brent is eligible to play for the first time since Dec. 2, 2012, but how do the Cowboys get him on the active roster.

As we Ponder the 46 for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, there just didn’t seem a way to get Brent on the field without taking off a player the Cowboys like.

First, let’s get through the inactives we know: quarterback Dustin Vaughan, tackle Tony Hills, tackle Donald Hawkins, safety Jakar Hamilton and cornerback Tyler Patmon, who has a knee injury.

The leaves two more inactives to find.

Could the Cowboys go with four wide receivers in a game for the first time this season? Rookie Devin Street has not had a catch since the season opener.

Try as I might, I can’t see Brent on the 46-man roster this week. In order to do it, the Cowboys would have to dress four wide receivers, de-activate fullback Tyler Clutts or go light in the secondary. None of that will happen. And Rod Marinelli is a big believer in Nick Hayden, so Brent will not be active over him.

In fact, the Cowboys will have to de-activate another linemen just to keep the numbers right. Jack Crawford offers up versatility and played extremely well in the Cowboys’ last game. Anthony Spencer is looking for his first sack. George Selvie has just one sack. Terrell McClain can play both tackle spots, but he could be without a jersey on Sunday.

The guess at the inactives: Vaughan, Hills, Hawkins, Hamilton, Patmon, Brent and McClain.

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