IRVING, Texas - While this final game could be vital to some of the young guys on the bubble, it appears one of the 53 roster spots has been locked in on a player who hasn't even worn the Cowboys uniform yet.
In fact, he hasn't even played his own position and he won't be playing Friday night in Minnesota.
But outside linebacker Curtis Johnson, a converted defensive end who was claimed off waivers from the Colts, likely won't be included when the final roster cuts on Saturday are trimmed down to 53 players.
The Cowboys wouldn't have claimed Johnson, who was waived/injured by Indianapolis because of a hamstring injury, although it appeared the Colts were trying to sneak him through the waiver wire and reclaim him to the active roster.
"There was a reason for picking him up," said head coach Wade Phillips, who admitted Johnson has been more impressive now than when they evaluated him coming out of Clark-Atlanta University last year. "We knew about him coming out of college. We had him as a projection linebacker. He's actually gained some weight. He weighed in at 254, so he's a pretty good-sized guy. He knows how to play full speed and he knows how to play all out, which was impressive. We thought it was an opportunity to get a guy that's a pretty good athlete that can maybe play."
Johnson played in seven games last year with the Colts, recording four tackles and one sack. He played in the Colts' first three preseason game this year, and had seven tackles and one sack all against the Eagles.
"I'm excited about it because growing up, the Cowboys were always my favorite team," Johnson said. "So to play here and wear the star, it's a dream come true for me. But I'm also just excited to get to a team and play. I've got just a hamstring injury. I won't play this week, but hopefully it won't last too long."
Johnson said he's not worried about switching from defensive end in the 4-3 scheme to an outside linebacker in the Cowboys' 3-4.
"It shouldn't be a tough transition. I did a lot of standing up when I was in college," Johnson said. "And I played the East-West Shrine Game as a linebacker. It's really more about learning the coverages as a linebacker and figuring out what's going on."
One area that shouldn't be a problem for Johnson is special teams. Not only did Phillips commend Johnson on that facet of his game, but the outside linebacker has plenty of experience.
"That's not a problem at all. I played special teams when I was in college and I did that last year, too," Johnson said. "I don't worry about that at all. With that, I just have to learn the scheme here and what we're trying to do. But it shouldn't take that long."
And that's a good thing for Johnson and the Cowboys, considering time isn't exactly on their side.
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