Dallas Cowboys: Inactives for Week 4 vs New England Patriots

The Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots will both miss some key players on Sunday in Arlington, Texas. The inactives report revealed that the Cowboys will once again be without starting left tackle Tyron Smith as the veteran continues to deal with an ankle injury.

However, Jerry Jones’ squad will return starting center Tyler Biadasz and starting right guard Zack Martin on Sunday. The All-Pro duo increased their activity in practice this week after sitting out of the Cowboys’ Week 3 loss against the Cardinals and are now expected to start in Week 4, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Smith was a late addition to the injury report last week and though he warmed up on Sunday, he ended up watching the loss from the sidelines. This week, he didn’t participate in practice from Wednesday through Friday. Free agent pickup Chuma Edoga will fill in for the former first-rounder for the second week in a row.

On Saturday, the Cowboys signed center Brock Hoffman to the active roster. Hoffman started in place of the banged-up Biadasz on Sunday against the Cardinals. Dallas also elevated linebacker Malik Jefferson and tight end Sean McKeon from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s game vs. New England. McKeon’s elevation was a sign that Hendershot wouldn’t be able to play.

The Cowboys and Patriots released their lists of inactive players ahead of the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday. Here’s who’s in and who’s out for both teams.

Cowboys Inactives

ACTIVE
OG Zack Martin (Ankle)
C Tyler Biadasz (Hamstring)
INACTIVE
LT Tyron Smith (Knee)
TE Peyton Hendershot (Ankle)
QB Trey Lance
S Israel Mukuamu
DT Viliami Fehoko
CB Eric Scott
WR Jalen Brooks

Patriots Inactives

WR Kayshon Boutte
CB Jonathan Jones
OG Cole Strange
OT Tyron Wheatley
QB Will Grier

Dallas favored in home game against Patriots

The 2-1 Cowboys are favored to win their Sunday home game against the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick’s squad is a 5.5-point underdog after starting the season 1-2. The last time the two teams played, the Cowboys won 35-29 in overtime.

Sunday also marks running back Ezekiel Elliott‘s first game back in AT&T Stadium. Jerry Jones revealed this week that the team is planning a pre-game surprise of some sort to celebrate Zeke’s time with the team. The first-rounder was with Dallas for seven seasons before joining New England last month as a free agent.

According to Ian Rapoport, Elliott will get “starter reps” for the Patriots against his former squad. He’s coming off of his best game of the season so far in New England’s win over the struggling Jets. He posted 80 yards on 16 carries in the 15-10 victory.

Kickoff between the Cowboys and Patriots is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX.