When the Cowboys announced they would keep their first-team defense on the field against the Texans for the entire first half, my heart skipped, skipped a beat.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy expects defensive starters to go entire first half Saturday vs. Texans. Substitutions to come earlier for offense.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 20, 2021
Here was a chance to get a first look at the 2021 Cowboys defense, or at least a reasonable facsimile of one, given the current injuries on the defense.