IRVING, Texas – Part of the defensive cavalry is making its return.
It wasn't a full-pads practice, but Henry Melton and Morris Claiborne were both back at practice and getting some first-team work Monday. Melton had been nursing a sore groin, and Claiborne missed the last preseason game with an AC joint injury in his shoulder.
The final preseason game is typically a time reserved for backups, but given the time missed by Claiborne and Melton this preseason, it's feasible they could get some work Thursday.
There were some losses with the starting group, however. Defensive end George Selvie, who injured his right shoulder in Saturday's game, was not on the field to start Monday's practice.
Quarterback Tony Romo, who was sacked three times in the game and has been given practice time off periodically throughout camp, was also not on the field. He appeared to get out of Saturday's game unscathed, though. Brandon Weeden was taking the reps with the starters.
Dwayne Harris had a jersey on but wasn't practicing after suffering ankle and hip injuries on a nasty sideline collision. [embedded_ad]
Backup running backs Joseph Randle (ribs) and Ryan Williams (groin) both got dinged up in Saturday's game. Williams, who said he just cramped up in the game, was practicing Monday; Randle wasn't. Randle was with a group that included Terrell McClain, Amobi Okoye, Anthony Spencer, B.W. Webb, Harris and Selvie off to the side working with the training staff.
Most practice updates referring to McClain tend to be in reference to Rolando McClain, but he was on the field practicing. Terrell McClain, who's working his way back from an ankle injury, wasn't on the field at the beginning of practice but ran onto the field with a helmet and jersey on. He started the day with the training staff but seemed optimistic last week he'd be ready to practice fully soon.
Jakar Hamilton (hamstring) and Johnny Thomas weren't on the field at the start of practice that was available to the media.
Anthony Hitchens started with the first-team in Saturday's game at middle linebacker, and he was back with the ones again to start Monday's practice.
