ARLINGTON, Texas – The Cowboys made official what had become known and listed Tony Romo as inactive against Arizona on Sunday.
The veteran quarterback is the obvious headliner, but the Cowboys are also sitting two other starters in Ronald Leary and Doug Free. The full inactives list is Romo, Leary, Free, Jakar Hamilton, Tim Dobbins, Jack Crawford and Davon Coleman.
News spread over the weekend that Romo had fractured two transverse processes in his lower back when he was sacked last week against the Redskins. He did not practice all this week, but he did go through the team's Saturday walkthrough before the decision was made to sit him.
In his place, Brandon Weeden will start his first game for the Cowboys.
Weeden will also have backups in front of him at two of the five spots on the offensive line. Free was ruled out on Friday afternoon, as he continues to recover from the fractured foot he suffered against Seattle in Week 6.
Leary strained his groin in the waning moments of last week's loss to Washington. He was ruled questionable on Friday, but the Cowboys have opted to sit him in favor of Mackenzy Bernadeau.
Bernadeau started 11 games at right guard last season, most of those coming after Brian Waters tore his triceps against Detroit.
The Cowboys also announced that rookie Anthony Hitchens will start his fourth game of the season, as they attempt to cope with Justin Durant's season-ending injury. Hitchens will take over Durant's weak side position while Bruce Carter remains on the strong side.
This is Hitchens' second start at the weak side spot. He started there against Tennessee while Durant was out with a groin strain.
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