Cowboys Tidbits: Bruce Carter Sets Return Date, 2011 Cap Space And Jerry Jones On Four Backs

Some days are slow, others have you trying to cram a million topics into a headline. Today is one of those juicy days.

-- The Cowboys have a little over $6 million left in 2011 cap space, according to this analysis by NFL.com's Jason LaConfora. Teams are now exactly two weeks away from having to trim their 90+ rosters down to 75 (August 30th) and then there is the final cut to 53 on September 3rd. It remains a possibility that the Cowboys look to bolster their offensive line, but another solid game by the youngsters on Sunday night and the team might look to stand pat there. Of course, unexpected cuts by other teams could cause Jerry and Stephen Jones to rethink this. The cap space could also be saved for restructuring current contracts to lessen 2012 cap impact, or to sign a veteran after week 1, when the contract isn't guaranteed for the season.

-- Cowboys second round draft pick, LB Bruce Carter, says that he is about two weeks away from returning to the field. That will put him on the field for the team's final preseason game of the year. Inquiring minds want to know if he'll be suiting up for the regular season or held back via the PUP list (out the first six weeks of the season). We'll need more info before our next 'Last Four In, Last Four Out' installment.  [ESPN]

-- For all those looking for confirmation, Jerry Jones (via Brandon George's twitter) says in a round a bout way, yes. Tashard Choice, Lonyae Miller and Phillip Tanner are competing for the third and final running back slot on the depth chart.

-- In other injury news, Jon Kitna is still nursing a sore back, and OLB Brandon Williams returned to practice for the afternoon session. Keith Brooking, Tashard Chocie and Mike Jenkins will be held out of the San Diego game on Sunday. As will Danny McCray, DeMarco Murray, Teddy Williams and Kai Forbath. [Star Telegram]

-- Head Coach Jason Garrett didn't give much of a ringing endorsement of OLB Anthony Spencer. [ESPN]

At different times, Spence has been more productive than at other times."

"It's not really for me to decide about elite pass rushers," Garrett said Tuesday. "We need to live in the world of Spence needs to get better today in practice. He's certainly a guy that teams know can be a very good pass rusher, has been that in the past, has been a guy, when he's not making sacks, is pushing the pocket and pressuring quarterbacks. He, like our whole football team, needs to do that on a more consistent basis."

-- The Cowboys have entered a partnership with Reliant Energy. [NBC DFW].

-- If you follow Cowboys players on Twitter, you were treated to Jason Hatcher remaining a cool customer while trapped in an elevator at his hotel. [DMN]. Hatcher had to be rescued by the local Fire and Rescue Department.

-- Cornerback Orlando Scandrick had a pretty good 2010 in the midst of the secondary meltdown. According to the player himself, the switch to Rob Ryan's defense is going very well for him. He's off to, in his words, a 'very, very, very good start. This makes me very, very, very happy. [ESPN]

-- Former family member Patrick Crayton is coming to dinner Sunday night, when the San Diego Chargers make their way to Cowboys Stadium for a preseason week 2 tilt. He reminisces fondly to his days in Big D. PC was one of the cool guys when I made my way to Oxnard for training camp 2007. He admits to the drafting of Dez Bryant as the 'icing on the cake' for him wanting out. Raise your hand if you'd rather have Crayton instead of Roy Williams last year. [mydesert.com]

-- Cowboys DC Rob Ryan on his ways as a coach.

"I say what I feel," Ryan said. "That's always been me. That's who I am. And that's the way it is. But there is a lot of attention. Apparently things can go national when you don't think it's a story." [DMN]

-- The City of Arlington is getting some snow removal kick backs for hosting the Super Bowl amidst a snow storm earlier this year. [KansasCity.com]

-- NFC East Training Camp reports [Pro Football Weekly]

-- ESPN's Bryan Broaddus jumps on the Bill Nagy bandwagon.