IRVING – By 4 p.m. Saturday, the Cowboys must turn in their 53-man roster to the NFL.
It's not necessarily the final roster, because they could make claims on players cut by other teams or make trades before the Sept. 10 season opener at Jacksonville.
For some of the Cowboys, Thursday's 10-10 tie may have represented their final chance to impress the coaches but also another chance to impress another team. For others, it was a chance to work off some rust from either inactivity or injury.
Patrick Crayton
He suffered an ankle injury in the first preseason game at Seattle and missed two games but returned Thursday and caught four passes for 35 yards in a starting role.
Crayton played into the fourth quarter largely because Bill Parcells believes Crayton cannot get in tune with the game while watching. Crayton said he ran the wrong route on a blitz read, leading to a Tony Romo interception near the goal line.
"Felt good to be out there," Crayton said. "It's one of those things I wish I was out there for the fifth quarter, but Bill wanted to get some of the younger guys a look. I don't like being a spectator, I guess."
Tony Curtis/Lousaka Polite
The trade of tight end Sean Ryan certainly helped Curtis' cause to make the roster. Undrafted a year ago, Curtis has made huge strides in the off-season and through training camp.
His spot is not finalized because of concerns elsewhere and the ability of Polite, a fullback, to play some tight end. Polite had some nice lead blocks in overtime for Tyson Thompson, and he is the sole true lead blocker on the roster, which is a must for short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Patrick Watkins
He got his third straight start at free safety over Keith Davis and was much more involved Thursday than he had been in the previous two games.
"With every game, I'm feeling more comfortable," Watkins said. "I'm getting a little more experience, and I can't wait for the regular season to get here."
Parcells has used rookie safeties before in his career, but Watkins, at 6-5, is unlike any safety he has had. With an experienced secondary, the Cowboys might be able to go to Watkins.
Sam Hurd
He caught six passes for 110 yards but had a holding penalty on the opening kickoff. While he has flashed some skill, he may need some time on the practice squad.
He had a chance to win the game in overtime but let a long ball from Romo go through his hands. Terrance Copper's ability on special teams might be enough to keep him for a third year, or the Cowboys could keep six receivers.
E-mail tarcher@dallasnews.com
