IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys' Friday morning practice is closed to the media due to rainy conditions in the Dallas area.
That'll make it a bit more challenging to judge the readiness of several Cowboys injury concerns – particularly Barry Church.
Church is one of just two Dallas players who hasn't participated in practice this week, along with Joseph Randle, who has already been ruled out for Sunday's game. Given that Friday is Church's last day to get onto the field before game time, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett was hopeful that he'll "at least do something."
The veteran safety suffered an ankle sprain during last week's loss to the Giants, and it has kept him off the field the past few days. That has led to widespread speculation that Byron Jones could be in line to start in place of Church, in addition to handling his duties as the defense's dimeback.
Garrett said that the combination of safeties behind Church – Jones, J.J. Wilcox and Jeff Heath – are equipped to handle the responsibilities of both safety positions if he is unable to suit up against the Seahawks.
"I think they're interchangeable," he said. "Sometimes you'll see one of the safeties play farther away from the ball more and one guy will be more of a down guy – but that changes within a game and it changes from week-to-week."
In addition, Garrett added that Dez Bryant will once again go through practice on Friday, and he'll be evaluated when the Cowboys return to Valley Ranch. The coaching staff was once again encouraged by Bryant's workload in Thursday's practice.
"We'll go through today and see how he's feeling after practice and make our determinations after that," he said.
