Cowboys And Raiders In Preseason Prime Time Game

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The Dallas Cowboys visit the Oakland Raiders for their first preseason game of 2012 tonight at 7:00pm.

The Raiders hold an 18-9 preseason advantage over the Cowboys, though Dallas has won 4 of the last 6 preseason matchups.  The teams have not met in preseason since 2004.

Dallas will have a limited lineup, as many familiar names are out with injury.  Of note will be the receiver position, where several players will be vying to claim a spot.  Starters Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are both expected to sit out the game due to hamstring problems.

Former SMU star Cole Beasley is expected to return kicks as well as play receiver, along with Andre Holmes and Raymond Radway.

At running back, Lance Dunbar of UNT and Ed Wesley of TCU both expect to get playing time as they try to find a spot behind Felix Jones, DeMarco Murray, and Phillip Tanner.

Dallas fans will get their first look at backup quarterback Kyle Orton, who signed with the Cowboys as a free agent during the off-season.

Dallas will field a makeshift offensive line, especially at center, where David Arkin is expected to start.  Arkin has never played center in a professional game.

On defense, Dallas fans may have to wait to see top draft pick Morris Claiborne, who is expected to sit out the game with lingering injuries.