ARLINGTON -- NFL coaches can limit the exposure of their starters and stars in these meaningless preseason games, but that doesn't necessarily limit the risk.
As the Cowboys found out Saturday night.
The third preseason weekend has always been the dress-rehearsal game for the upcoming NFL season. The Cowboys planned to play their starters for two quarters, their most extended playing time of the preseason.
With 19 seconds left in the second quarter, 19 seconds before middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens could have walked off the field under his own power, he had to be helped off with a knee injury.