IRVING, Texas - As expected all week, the Cowboys officially added a fourth wide receiver to the 53-man roster Saturday morning, signing first-year pro Mike Jefferson, who will travel with the club today to Cleveland.
In doing so, the Cowboys released offensive lineman James Marten, a third-round pick in 2007. While it's rather early to be giving up on a second-round pick, Marten just never showed much consistency and was nowhere close to pushing for a starting job this year.
Now the Cowboys will likely try to retain Marten on the practice squad, if clears waivers. But being a first-day pick last year, Marten might draw some interest from other teams, especially with his versatility to play both tackle and guard.
But the Cowboys just had to get another receiver to the game to join Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton and Isaiah Stanback. The club is without Sam Hurd (ankle) and Miles Austin (knee), who were both injured in the preseason. Even Stanback isn't 100 percent, but has practiced all week with a harness on his left shoulder.
The Cowboys opted to cut Marten over a defensive back, although the Cowboys have 11 players in the secondary.
But there are some health issues there as well, led by cornerback Terence Newman, who apparently re-aggravated a groin injury this week and his status for Sunday's game remains questionable. Newman has been limited in practice this week and head coach Wade Phillips said he will likely decide whether to play or start Newman just before game time on Sunday.
If Newman can't play at all, Adam Jones will start at left cornerback and rookie Orlando Scandrick would likely be the slot corner in the dime package.
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Nick Eatman - 
