Dallas Cowboys' preseason hero finally gets a chance to play due to star player's injury

Ahead of the Dallas Cowboys' last game at home this season, the team announced its gameday inactives 90 minutes before kickoff.

With the Cowboys' mathematically eliminated from the NFL playoffs, they intend to play starters with the intention to win. However, it won't be all hands on deck. Who's in, and who's out ahead of the noon matchup?

Full list of Cowboys’ Week 15 inactives

• LT Tyler Guyton
• DT Jay Toia
• RB Jaydon Blue
• WR Jalen Tolbert
• DT Quinnen Williams
• CB Caelen Carson
• PRACTICE SQUAD ELEVATION: CB Corey Ballentine

Quinnen Williams' injury opens the door for preseason hero

Veteran defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey hasn't played a regular season game since 2023. For Week 16, he is active and set to play as a result of star DT Quinnen Williams being inactive (concussion/neck). Winfrey's road in 2025 has been a long one.

After becoming one of the biggest preseason standouts and a surprise member of the 53-man roster, Winfrey was placed on Injured Reserve due to a back injury right before the start of the regular season. That kept him out for most of the season. Upon being activated off of IR in Week 12, he's been a healthy scratch four consecutive weeks due to the fact the Cowboys are loaded at the position with the likes of Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, and Kenny Clark.

Now, Winfrey gets a chance to show he belongs in the regular season. If you want to keep close tabs on him, he'll be rocking No. 99 for Dallas.

Other notes on Cowboys inactives

• All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs is active and set to play his first game since Oct. 12 after being activated off of Injured Reserve. Meanwhile, DaRon Bland was placed on IR and will miss the remainder of the season.
• WR CeeDee Lamb is set to play after missing two practices due to illness. He was a full participant on Friday practice.
• FB Hunter Luepke was questionable with a concussions heading into Sunday. He is active.

Chargers inactives