SAN DIEGO – Brandon Weeden started at quarterback, Gus Johnson at running back and Davon Coleman at defensive tackle. The Cowboys team fans saw at the outset of Dallas’ preseason game against San Diego on Thursday looked nothing like the one expected to take the field next month against the New York Giants in the 2015 opener.
Tony Romo sat. So did Jason Witten, Joseph Randle, Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Tyron Smith and Doug Free.
Bryant, Free and Randle had suffered recent injuries. But the rest were healthy.
The composition of the lineups was a clear sign the Cowboys believe their top players can get sufficient work in their next two exhibition games before they turn their full attention to the regular season.