Dallas Cowboys: Inactives revealed for Week 5 vs San Francisco 49ers

The Dallas Cowboys meet the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night for a primetime rivalry matchup that could have big playoff implications later in the year. Both teams were dealing with injuries that could impact the outcome of the matchup to start the week but they each returned most of those players to practice as well.

For Dallas, left tackle Tyron Smith and right guard Zack Martin are expected to start, marking the first time this season the Cowboys will start the best five on the offensive line. Linebacker Micah Parsons was also banged up coming off of the win over the Patriots last weekend but he returned to full participation in practice before the end of the week.

The captains for the Cowboys against San Francisco are QB Dak Prescott, CB DaRon Bland and punter Bryan Anger.

The Cowboys and 49ers released their lists of inactive players ahead of the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday. Here’s who’s in and who’s out for both teams.

Cowboys Inactives

TE Peyton Hendershot (Ankle)
QB Trey Lance
S Israel Mukuamu
DT Viliami Fehoko
CB Eric Scott
WR Jalen Brooks
OT Asim Richards

49ers Inactives

QB Brandon Allen
OL Nick Zakelj
DL Kalia Davis
LB Jalen Graham
RB Elijah Mitchell
TE Brayden Willis
LB Randy Gregory

Randy Gregory sitting out of first game with San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers have chosen not to incorporate new edge rusher Randy Gregory into the game plan for Sunday night’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Gregory, who started his career with the Cowboys, went to San Francisco in a trade from the Broncos on Friday.

Denver exchanged Gregory and a 2024 7th-round pick for a 2024 6th-round pick from the 49ers.

After getting drafted by the Cowboys in the 2nd round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Nebraska, Gregory played in 12 games and looked like a potentially solid piece. However, he’d miss most of the 2016 and all of the 2017 season due to failed drug tests.

He was also suspended indefinitely and missed the 2019 season after more violations of the league substance abuse policies.

Gregory was reinstated ahead of the 2020 season and has not missed time due to suspension since. In recent years, his struggle has been with health.

In 2021 for Dallas, the edge rusher posted six sacks in 12 games. He also added three forced fumbles, an interception, and 17 quarterback hits. Last season for the Broncos, while battling injuries, he played in just six games, tallying two sacks with 12 tackles. In four games this season, he’s posted nine tackles with a sack and a tackle for loss.