IRVING, Texas – Wide receiver Devin Street isn't content just catching his first NFL pass.
It was a question going in if the fifth-round pick would be active last Sunday, but he got to play and recorded two receptions in the Cowboys' opener. He hopes that's just the beginning for him.
"I didn't know if I was going to get two plays or 60 plays, but I knew those plays I was in, I had to maximize my opportunity and be reliable and go in there confident," Street said. "My goals are so beyond just one catch, I didn't even focus on that or get complacent in thinking, 'Let me just get one catch and everything will be all right.'"
Street could have had another grab on a deep post down the middle of the field, but the throw was high and wide, even though Street didn't blame his quarterback at all on the play. With Street playing mostly with the second-team group in the preseason, he's still getting his timing down with Tony Romo.
"With any QB-wide receiver, there has to be some chemistry," Street said. "Now is the time to get it down in practice and make sure we translate it over to the game. The window right now to get that synced on time is very small, so just have to work through it. I have to do a better job of being very precise in my routes and my preparation just to give a clear look to Tony."
With injuries defensively and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli's defensive line rotation system, it's no guarantee Street will be active every week. Head coach Jason Garrett said he could see a situation going down to four receivers, but he also said there's value in having Street active.
"We thought it was important to give Devin a chance to be up," Garrett said. "He played in the game and did a good job. As much as anything else, you want to keep your players fresh throughout the game and we do that on the defensive line. On special teams, you need enough guys to do what they need to do. Street did a nice job in the game when we gave him his first start."
Potential Return?
The Cowboys have to be as interested as any team in the upcoming NFL drug policy ruling.
If a new drug policy is voted on and changed before Sunday's game, it's possible Orlando Scandrick's suspension could be overturned, allowing him to play immediately.
"I think we will look at all options," said head coach Jason Garrett. "Certainly, Orlando, being a veteran player who knows our system, he's played a lot of football in this league. You will try to give him as much consideration as possible. We'll wait and see what happens as this day unfolds. Obviously, we have everyone else prepared and ready to play in this game."
It's possible the vote doesn't happen before Sunday's game. If it does get overturned, Garrett wouldn't divulge his plan, but he sounded open to allowing Scandrick to be active immediately. [embedded_ad]
"I don't know that we have any prohibitions on things," Garrett said. "We'll just sit down and discuss it and try to figure out what the best thing is to do for our football team.
McClain Game
Linebacker Rolando McClain's not one to talk much, but his fellow linebackers had glowing reviews for him.
McClain tied Justin Durant for the team lead with eight combined tackles last week, and he made his presence felt against the 49ers with some crushing hits.
"He brings a force that we need on defense, an attitude about it," Durant said.
With Durant now injured, it's likely rookie Anthony Hitchens steps in at weak side linebacker. He's happy to be doing it next to McClain.
"He likes hitting, and you love when you've got linebackers next to you that like to hit, especially if you like to hit, too," Hitchens said. "As you can see, last week he was running around making plays, and that's what we need here. He does a great job of doing it and leading our defense out there, so it should be fun playing next to him."
McClain doesn't ask for much attention in the locker room. He's typically quiet and laid back, but Durant said people shouldn't be judged by how they walk around the building.
"When you get on the field and in the game, it's a different situation," Durant said.
