MIAMI – The inactives list for Sunday's Week 11 matchup between the Cowboys and Dolphins is about as unsurprising as it's been all season.
Cornerback Morris Claiborne and wide receiver Brice Butler headlined the list of seven inactives, but both players were ruled out on Friday as a result of injuries. Claiborne injured his hamstring and ankle last week against Tampa Bay, while Butler has been coping with his own hamstring problem for several weeks.
The other five inactives behind them were Trey Williams, Mark Nzeocha, Ron Leary, Geoff Swaim and Ryan Russell.
Those are all fairly predictable names. Williams is inactive for his third-straight week, as the Cowboys signed veteran free agent Robert Turbin to help carry the load at running back. Nzeocha was activated from the Cowboys' Non-Football Injury list earlier this week, but he won't be needed as Sean Lee is active for Sunday after recovering from a concussion.
Leary is inactive for the fifth-straight week, as La'el Collins remains the starter at left guard. Swaim and Russell have been mainstays on the inactives list for the duration of this season.
With Claiborne ruled out, rookie Byron Jones will get the start at cornerback, opposite Brandon Carr. Jones filled in admirably last week in Tampa Bay when Claiborne left the game. He has now earned extensive playing time at three different positions in the Cowboys' secondary this season.
Of course, the big news of the day is that Tony Romo is back on the active roster and will start against the Dolphins. After cutting Brandon Weeden earlier this week, the Cowboys have just two quarterbacks on the roster – with Matt Cassel set to serve as Romo's backup.
Miami's inactives are cornerback Tony Lippett, linebacker Spencer Paysinger, linebacker Jelani Jenkins, offensive tackles Ulrick John and Ja'Wuan James, wide receiver Matt Hazel and tight end Jake Stoneburner.
