IRVING, Texas – Sean Lee will sit out of the Cowboys' final game of the season, as he has been declared inactive with a hamstring injury.
Lee showed up on the Cowboys' injury report on Friday after practicing on Wednesday and Thursday, and the Cowboys listed him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Redskins. His absence in this game could cost him a sizable sum of money, as he has a $2 million escalator in his contract if he plays 80 percent of his snaps across 2013-14.
Joining Lee on the inactive list for the Cowboys are Jameill Showers, Rodney Smith, Morris Claiborne, La'el Collins, Chaz Green and Vince Mayle. Newly-added cornerback Josh Thomas was originally going to be inactive, but he was bumped up when Lee was ruled out for the afternoon.
That decision will conclude what has been one of the healthiest and most productive seasons of Lee's career. All told, he appeared in 14 games and tallied 128 tackles with 2.5 sacks and one interception. He didn't face any of the soft-tissue injuries that have plagued him in the past, but he did miss time due to concussions. Lee left games against New Orleans and Philadelphia after suffering concussions, and the Cowboys sat him out of the Nov. 15 loss to Tampa Bay.
Sitting Lee also means the Cowboys will be without three starters for their season finale. Claiborne will miss his third-straight game with a hamstring injury he suffered against Green Bay, and Collins suffered an ankle injury in last week's loss to Buffalo.
Deji Olatoye will make his second-straight start with Claiborne sitting out, while Ron Leary will move into the starting lineup for the first time since October. Leary was the Cowboys' Week 1 starter at left guard, but Collins supplanted him following the bye week and has been the starter since Oct. 25.
Smith and Mayle were promoted from the practice squad this week after Dez Bryant and Barry Church were sent to the injured reserve. The two young receivers have been with the team for several months, but the Cowboys opted to carry just Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Brice Butler, Devin Street and Lucky Whitehead on their game day roster.
With Lee sitting out, second-year linebacker Anthony Hitchens will likely get the start at weak side linebacker, while Rolando McClain will start in the middle and Kyle Wilber will work on the strong side.
The Redskins, who have already clinched the NFC East championship and a playoff berth, will also be sitting several key players for Sunday's game. Their inactives are Robert Griffin III, Matt Jones, Dashon Goldson, Quinton Dunbar, Perry Riley Jr., Trent Williams and Jason Hatcher.
Jones has 490 rushing yards and three touchdowns while splitting carries with Alfred Morris. Goldson is the Redskins' leading tackler with 110 on the year from his safety position. Riley had 43 tackles through nine games earlier this season, but he has been forced out with injuries since Thanksgiving.
Williams and Hatcher, who Cowboys fans should be familiar with, are coping with various injuries – but won't be expected to miss when the Redskins appear in the playoffs next weekend.
