Dallas Cowboys make roster moves and there is more to come
By Rainer Sabin
rsabin@dallasnews.com
3:47 pm on December 17, 2013 | Permalink
Justin Durant is on injured reserve. Orie Lemon is back. And two other players — defensive tackle Drake Nevis and linebacker Kyle Bosworth — have been cut.
The Cowboys made a series of roster moves Tuesday with still more to come in the near future.
Dallas also plans to add receiver/return specialist Micheal Spurlock to the active roster and linebacker Jonathan Stewart to the practice squad this week, according to a source. Stewart would fill the spot vacated by running back George Winn, who was also released Tuesday.
The Cowboys are trying to replenish their reserves in wake of injuries to their weakened linebacker corps. Durant aggravated a hamstring injury Sunday in Dallas’ 37-36 loss to Green Bay.
With Sean Lee and Bruce Carter inactive and Ernie Sims knocked out of the game after hurting his hip, the Cowboys were deploying Kyle Wilber, DeVonte Holloman and Cameron Lawrence at the three linebacker spots in the second half.
Durant finished the season, his first with the Cowboys, with 24 tackles and one forced fumble. Lemon will step in after being cut Saturday. He was originally signed off Arizona’s practice squad last month and appeared in two games for Dallas this season but failed to record any stats.
Like Lemon, Spurlock should boost a unit that is missing one of its key contributors. Dwayne Harris has been inactive two of the last three games after hurting his hamstring in a Nov. 24 victory over the New York Giants. By adding Spurlock, the Cowboys are protecting themselves in case Harris isn’t available Sunday against Washington. In his seven-year career, Spurlock has scored five touchdowns on kick and punt returns. He has also worked closely with Cowboys special teams coach Rich Bisaccia during stints in Tampa Bay and San Diego.