Cole Beasley is stripped of the ball in the Chargers game on Aug. 18. (AP)
The Dallas Cowboys make it back to Texas this weekend as the regular season approaches.
After a lengthy stay in California for training camp and two preseason games against the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers, Jerry Jones and his Cowboys Stadium get their ‘boys back to play the St. Louis Rams Saturday.
The Rams are in town for both teams third preseason game. This is the only week of the preseason where starters generally play into the latter part of the game.
That means that Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense will have to answer some serious questions that have arisen due to a summer filled with injuries.
Most concerning are the questions of depth at wide receiver and the depth and health of the offensive line.
With injuries keeping Dez Bryant and Miles Austin sidelined, receivers Dwayne Harris, Kevin Ogletree, and Cole Beasley have another big opportunity to win the third receiver spot.
Beasley, who had over 1,000 yards as receiver for the Mustangs last year, has impressed in recent preseason games with over 100 yards in Dallas’s week two game against the Chargers.
The Rams, who made one of the biggest moves of the offseason in signing former Titans coach Jeff Fisher, should be an improved team.
The 2010 draft class No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford will test a Dallas secondary that Cowboy fans hope is also improved.
With Dallas’s most expensive free agent acquisition, Brandon Carr, coming off a two-interception game, and Morris Claiborne, back and healthy for his 2nd preseason game, the Cowboys look solid.
The Cowboys offensive line is still in flux, and many questions should be answered by who starts the game Saturday.
The real questions are still within the interior.
It has looked like Nate Livings and Mackenzie Bernadeau will start at the guard spots with David Arkin still somewhat in the mix.
Phil Costa also will likely get the start with Bill Nagy as competition.
However the groups play in the game Saturday will be telling for the regular season opener against the New York Giants.
Kickoff for the Cowboys and Rams is Saturday at 7 p.m.
