ARLINGTON, Texas – Matt Cassel will be the Cowboys' backup quarterback when the Cowboys host his former team on Sunday afternoon at AT&T Stadium.
The former Patriots signal-caller said as much earlier this week, and the Cowboys confirmed it when they released their list of seven inactive players on Sunday afternoon. Cassel will make his first appearance in a Cowboys uniform since he was acquired in a trade with Buffalo on Sept. 22.
Cassel will serve as the backup for Brandon Weeden, while Kellen Moore was designated as one of the team's seven inactives.
The full list of inactives is Moore, along with Brice Butler, La'el Collins, James Hanna, Dez Bryant, Randy Gregory and Ryan Russell.
Hanna was listed as questionable on the Cowboys' Friday injury report, as he practiced in a limited capacity at the end of the week. Rookie tight end Geoff Swaim will be active in his place.
Brice Butler also tried to practice on Friday, but he was ruled out due to the hamstring injury that prematurely ended his night last week against New Orleans. The Cowboys promoted practice squad wide receiver Vince Mayle to the active roster on Saturday to account for Butler's absence, and he'll be active in his first possible opportunity.
Mayle, who is listed at 6-2, 224 pounds, was a fourth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the spring. He spent the preseason with Cleveland before being released at final roster cuts. The Cowboys added him to their practice squad on Sept. 7, and he remained there until this past weekend.
Lucky Whitehead is also active this week after watching last week's loss to the Saints from the sideline. With both Bryant and Butler sitting out against the Patriots, both he and Mayle will be looked at to contribute.
Gregory is sitting out for the fourth-consecutive week after spraining his ankle Sept. 13 against the Giants, but the Cowboys are getting a boost on their defensive depth chart despite that. Greg Hardy and Rolando McClain returned from their four-game suspensions this past Monday, and both players will be active against the Patriots.
New England's seven inactives are wide receiver Aaron Dobson, defensive back Tavon Wilson, linebacker Jonathan Bostic, linebacker Rufus Johnson, offensive lineman Ryan Wendell, defensive lineman Khry Thornton and defensive lineman Trey Flowers.
