Commanders activate LB Cody Barton ahead of Cowboys game

The Washington Commanders activated linebacker Cody Barton off injured reserve on Wednesday and made him available for Thursday afternoon's game against the host Dallas Cowboys.

Barton had led the team in tackles (61) in starting all seven games when he sprained his ankle in an Oct. 22 loss at the New York Giants. He has missed the last four games.

He was a full participant at practice this week, leading head coach Ron Rivera to tip his hand that Barton would be activated Wednesday.

"He's had a good couple of days," Rivera said Tuesday. "He had actually a good week last week, and he's champing at the bit, he's been a pain."

Barton, 27, signed with the Commanders in March after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, who selected him in the third round of the 2019 draft out of Utah. He has started 23 of 72 games for the Seahawks and Commanders, totaling 292 tackles and two interceptions.

His return allows starting linebacker Jamin Davis to change his responsibilities on the field.

"I think what it does is it puts Jamin back at his more natural position that he's been playing the last couple of years and just kind of settle him back down," Rivera said. "That'd be really good for Jamin. And just his overall communication skills as an inside guy. I don't know if we'll have to rely on as many different personnel groupings either on defense, but I thought David Mayo came in and did a heck of a job for us."

Running back Antonio Gibson, who was limited in practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with a toe injury, was listed as questionable for Thursday's game.

Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (elbow) and defensive end James Smith-Williams (hamstring), who each did not practice this week, were ruled out for the game.

In another move, the Commanders placed linebacker De'Jon Harris (quad) on injured reserve. Harris, 26, appeared in six games this season and made one tackle.

Washington signed defensive end Joshua Pryor and running back Jonathan Williams from the practice squad.