Dallas Cowboys: Surprising name lands on inactives list

The Dallas Cowboys have released their inactives list prior to their game with the Carolina Panthers. Let’s review those names before the season opener.

It’s been just over a week since the Dallas Cowboys cut down their roster from nearly 90 players to just 53-men to meet league requirements. But just because you’ve made the final 53-man roster doesn’t mean you’ll be playing on Sunday.

Prior to the Cowboys’ regular season opener against the Carolina Panthers, Dallas released their inactives list – a list of players who will not be among the team’s 46 active players who are eligible to actually take the field against the Panthers.

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, here is the Cowboys inactive list in Carolina: Travis Frederick – center, Rico Gathers – tight end, Mike White – quarterback, Xavier Woods – free safety, Datone Jones – defensive tackle, Chris Covington – linebacker, Adam Redmond – center.

The most surprising name on this list is Gathers. The former basketball star that the Cowboys have been developing as a tight end for the past three years will not play against the Panthers despite making the final-53 last weekend.

The 6-foot-6, 282 pound former sixth rounder has excellent ball skills and projects as a lethal redzone threat. It was thought Gathers could have an impact on this Cowboys team that is playing without offensive superstars like wide receiver Dez Bryant (released) and tight end Jason Witten (retirement) for the first time in a longtime.

Gathers appeared to have outplayed fourth round rookie tight end Dalton Schultz throughout training camp and in the preseason. But Schultz figures to be a better special teams asset, which could have landed him a spot on the active roster over Rico.

But Gathers has also infamously struggled with the mental aspects of the position as well as being a consistent blocker. Combined that with the fact Rico was arrested for possession of marijuana prior to final cuts last weekend, and the young tight end will be forced to watch from the sidelines in Week One.

All-Pro center Travis Frederick continues to struggle Guillain-Barre Syndrome. His time-table for a return is unknown. Xavier Woods is dealing with a hamstring injury but hopes to return in Week Two. Finally, Datone Jones is out due to a knee injury after flirting with the Injured Reserve designation last week.