ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Jeremy Mincey will join Dez Bryant and Morris Claiborne on the Cowboys' inactives list for Sunday's game against the Bills.
Bryant and Claiborne are expected absences, given that they didn't practice this week and didn't make the trip to Buffalo. Mincey, the eighth-year veteran, comes as a bit more of a surprise considering he wasn't on the team's injury report all week.
The Cowboys' other four inactives for Week 16 are Jameill Showers Mark Nzeocha, Ron Leary and Chaz Green.
Curious Cowboys fans will no doubt be disappointed to see that Showers, the rookie quarterback who was activate from the practice squad on Friday, won't be suiting up against Buffalo. Showers has served as a scout team quarterback and special teamer throughout the season, and it appears that he'll serve as Cowboys' third-string quarterback for the remaining week of the season.
Despite that fact, it appears Showers doesn't have a large enough role to justify a game day roster spot this week.
While Showers may not be active, several other intriguing young players will get a shot this week. Mincey's absence opens up the door for defensive tackle Casey Walker, who was also activated from the practice squad on Friday, to get an opportunity.
With Claiborne out of the lineup, second-year cornerback Deji Olatoye will also get an opportunity at some playing time. Olatoye and fellow second-year corner Terrance Mitchell will help Brandon Carr and Byron Jones fill out the cornerback depth chart.
Devin Street and Brice Butler will both be active with Bryant sitting out on Sunday, and Butler will get the start at receiver opposite Terrance Williams.
As expected, Geoff Swaim will also be active for the first time in several months, as the Cowboys cope with the loss of Gavin Escobar to a torn Achilles.
The Bills' inactives are quarterback Josh Johnson, running back LeSean McCoy, cornerback Ronald Darby, linebacker Nigel Bradham, defensive end Max Valles, tight end Charles Clay and defensive end Lavar Edwards.
