The Cowboys are close to finalizing their eight-man practice squad, likely bringing back as many as six Saturday cuts, including recievers Jesse Holley and Manuel Johnson.
Here is a closer look at the Cowboys 53-man roster as they begin preparing in earnest for the Sept.12 regular-season opener:
Quaterback (3)
Tony Romo
John Kitna
Stephen McGee
Summary: Romo and Kitna are entrenched as Nos. 1 and 2, respectively. Stephen McGee's 304-yard, one-touchdown preseason finale performance ended questions about his roster security.
Running Back (5)
Marion Barber
Felix Jones
Tashard Choice
Chris Gronkowski
Deon Anderson
Summary: The Cowboys elected to keep two fullbacks, Gronkowski and the fourth-year veteran Anderson, rather than a third tight end.
Wide Receiver (5)
Miles Austin
Roy Williams
Dez Bryant
Kevin Ogletree
Sam Hurd
Summary: Ogletree slides up a spot on the depth chart following Crayton's departure. The Cowboys also kept Hurd, who signed a $1.759 million restricted tender in the offseason, despite trade rumors during the week.
Tight End (2)
Jason Witten
Martellus Bennett
Summary: The Cowboys did not elect to keep a third true tight end after Phillips' season-ending knee injury, but they're likely to keep as many as two on the practice squad for depth.
Offensive Line (10)
Doug Free
Kyle Kosier
Andre Gurode
Leonard Davis
Marc Colombo
Alex Barron
Montrae Holland
Phil Costa
Robert Brewster
Sam Young
Summary: The Cowboys went heavy with 10 linemen, due in part to the Colombo and Kosier injuries. Colombo (knee scope) is expected to practice this week, but Kosier (sprained MCL) - the starting left guard and primary backup center - could miss up to three games.
Defensive Line (7)
Marcus Spears
Jay Ratliff
Igor Olshansky
Stephen Bowen
Jason Hatcher
Josh Brent
Sean Lissemore
Summary: Another heavy position. Five of six rotation players from 2009 are back: Spears, Ratliff, Olshansky, Bowen and Hatcher. Seventh-rounders Brent and Lissemore beat out the sixth rotation guy, Junior Siavii, who signed with the Seahawks on Sunday.
Linebacker (9)
DeMarcus Ware
Keith Brooking
Bradie James
Anthony Spencer
Victor Butler
Brandon Williams
Sean Lee
Jason Williams
Leon Williams
Summary: Heavy again, particularly the five inside linebackers: starters Brooking and James; second-rounder Sean Lee; and veteran backups Leon and Jason Williams.
Cornerback (3)
Terence Newman
Mike Jenkins
Orlando Scandrick
Summary: The Cowboys had to go light somewhere, and this is it. The fourth cornerback competition was heated through training camp, but ultimately only the top three made it.
Safety (6)
Gerald Sensabaugh
Alan Ball
Mike Hamlin
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
Danny McCray
Barry Church
Summary: Sensabaugh (shoulder subluxation), the starting strong safety, has a good chance to be ready for the opener. The Gordon and McCann cuts made room for two undrafted safeties, McCray and Church.
Specialist (3)
David Buehler
Mat McBriar
L.P Ladouceur
Summary: Buehler's excellent preseason (10-for-11 field goals, including 4-for-4 and the winning kick last Thursday) earned him full-time kicking duties.
The Cowboys are close to finalizing their eight-man practice squad, likely bringing back as many as six Saturday cuts, including recievers Jesse Holley and Manuel Johnson.