*The Dallas Cowboys signed offensive tackle Jermey Parnell on Thursday from the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. A 6’6”, 290 pound behemoth, Parnell played both football and basketball at Ole Miss. He went undrafted in 2009, but was picked up by the Saints shortly thereafter and assigned to the practice squad. He was released, spent some time in Miami, and rejoined the New Orleans practice squad, where he has been ever since, all within the month of September 2009.
*Defensive end Igor Olshansky and safety Alan Ball will reportedly return to practice Thursday. Olshansky and Ball each missed practice Wednesday, while dealing with hamstring and shoulder issues, respectively.
*With the release of safety Mike Hamlin earlier this week, the Cowboys are left with a roster spot to fill. One likely candidate to fill this vacancy is receiver and “4th and Long” winner Jesse Holley, who has been working out with the first team in practice this week.
*If the aforementioned Ball, the team’s starting free safety, is unable to play, Barry Church or Danny McCray would start in his place. Church and McCray, both undrafted rookies, impressed coaches in training camp, and were likely no small part in the Cowboys’ decision to cut ties with Hamlin. "It just didn't look like he had an opportunity here,” said head coach Wade Phillips of Ball, “because of the young safeties.”
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