All but four Cowboys starters will play entire first half

By MAC ENGEL
tengel@star-telegram.com

DENVER — The majority of the Dallas Cowboys starters will play the first half of tonight’s preseason game at Denver, coach Wade Phillips said Friday.

The only starters who will not play the entire first half will be quarterback Tony Romo, tight end Jason Witten, running back Marion Barber and wide receiver Terrell Owens. That group will likely play only one quarter.

The Cowboys will give backup quarterback Brad Johnson some extended time behind the first-team offensive line.

In the first preseason game, Johnson played under heavy pressure and was sacked twice and intercepted once.

Out of action

Six players will miss tonight’s game at Denver. They are defensive backs Terence Newman (groin) and Quincy Butler (hamstring); linebackers Anthony Spencer (bone bruise) and Kevin Burnett (knee); defensive lineman Marcus Dixon (back) and defensive back Tyler Everett (back).

Open practice

The Cowboys will host an open practice at Texas Stadium on Wednesday. The practice begins at 7 p.m.

It’s the first time in 17 years the team will have an open practice. This is the final season the Cowboys will play at Texas Stadium.

Before the two-hour practice begins, an autograph session with former players and current cheerleaders will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. for select fans.

Camera crews of the HBO television series Hard Knocks, which is documenting the team’s training camp, will be at the practice.

Texas Stadium gates open at 4:30 p.m.