IRVING, Texas – With the NFL's best quarterback coming to town Sunday, the Cowboys will certainly need all hands on deck, especially when it comes to rushing the passer.
While Denver's Peyton Manning has torched the entire league so far through four games and likely isn't concerned with whatever pressure he gets, at least the Cowboys bring one of the NFL's elite rushers to the game in DeMarcus Ware.
And from the looks of things, Ware might have his fellow starter on the opposite side, too.
George Selvie was able to practice on Friday for the first time this week after suffering a concussion in Sunday's 30-21 loss to the Chargers. Selvie did record a sack – his third of the season – before the fourth-quarter injury sidelined him from the game. It's also kept him out of practice both Wednesday and Thursday but Selvie was on the field, with his helmet Friday and participating in drills.
Actually, having Selvie is even more important considering one of his top backups might now be out with an injury. Edgar Jones has been bothered by a groin injury and his availability for Sunday's game is in question. Jones was not practicing Friday.
Other than Ware and possibly Selvie, the Cowboys will look to Kyle Wilber and perhaps Caesar Rayford at defensive end. The club also has end Jason Vega on the practice squad and could call him up before the game depending on the numbers. If that happens, the Cowboys would of course need to release another player on the 53-man roster.
Austin Still Slowed
Miles Austin missed his sixth straight practice Friday, another sign he will might miss Sunday's game with the Broncos. Austin suffered a hamstring injury in the Rams game on Sept. 22 and missed all of last week's practices and the Chargers game.
During Friday's practice, he was running sprints on a side field, but not at full speed.
Austin was ruled out on Friday last week and could get the same status this week. Without him, the Cowboys are using Terrance Williams on the outside and playing Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley more in the slot.
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Williams started last week and caught seven passes for 71 yards, including a lost fumble at the end of the game.
Harris has been banged up with a hip injury, but appeared to be practicing with full participation on Friday, one day after he was listed as limited on Thursday.
Durant Misses
Strong-side linebacker Justin Durant will probably miss Sunday's game with a groin injury. Durant hasn't practiced this week, including Friday, and should be replaced in the base defnse by Ernie Sims.
In the nickel package, Sims is expected to replace Bruce Carter as one of the two linebackers on the field, along with Sean Lee. Last week, Carter was replaced by Sims in the nickel after allowing two touchdowns while covering Chargers running back Danny Woodhead.
