Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jay Ratliff is one of a handful of veteran with surprise absences in Saturday's practice here at the Alamodome.
Ratliff is out with a slight hip contusion. It's unclear if the Cowboys will clear him to participate in Sunday's Blue-White scrimmage that includes portions of live contact.
With Ratliff out, the Cowboys are using Josh Brent as the first-team nose tackle.
Other players not practicing Saturday include cornerback Alan Ball, who is out with a blister. Ball only returned to practice Thursday night after sitting out the first week because of the CBA restrictions. Ball did work with the first-team reps on Friday to replace Mike Jenkins, who returned to practice Saturday with a nagging neck strain.
WR Manny Johnson had a mild head injury on Friday and isn't practicing Saturday as well.
