Cowboys Practice Report: Romo, Tyron + A D-Line Scoop
IRVING, Texas (105.3 THE FAN) - Quarterback Tony Romo and Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith are both back in action at practice Monday at Valley Ranch. But 105.3 The Fan has learned of another piece of news that the Cowboys hope will impact the Thursday night outcome in Chicago against the Bears.
Dallas is shuffling around defensive linemen, with Josh Brent a factor for the first time all season.
Sources tell me that Brent, on scout team for each of the last two weeks and therefore scratched from each of the last two games, is being elevated to second-team 1-tech defensive tackle this week behind Nick Hayden. But that doesn't jump him over incumbent second-teamer Terrell McClain; McClain is getting snaps at the 3-tech this week behind starter Tyrone Crawford.
And where does that leave former Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton, a Pro Bowler during his time in Chicago? He's getting a lot of snaps, I'm told, at defensive end — all of this a part of Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli (himself a former Bears assistant) trying to put assorted D-linemen in positions to succeed.
Hayden, Brent and McClain inside could help clog the Matt Forte-led Chicago running game. And Melton outside could light a fire under Dallas' unproductive pass rush.
Those are the hopes, anyway, along with Romo overcoming a loss to the Eagles in which he had his worst QB rating in the last 80 games, and along with Smith overcoming the stomach flu.
Safety Jeff Heath (fractured right thumb), cornerback Tyler Patmon (sprained left knee) and linebacker Dekoda Watson (strained hamstring) also didn't practice in the frigid DFW weather on Monday, conditions coach Jason Garrett hopes will prepare his team for what figures to be a freezing cold night in Chicago.
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