Cowboys' Justin Durant: Likely starter at middle linebacker in Week 1

Durant is expected to start at middle linebacker in Week 1 with Anthony Hitchens (knee) out for the first half of the season, David Helman of DallasCowboys.com reports.

Both Durant and Jaylon Smith will see action in the middle, but the Cowboys don't intend on accelerating Smith's recovery plan from the nerve damage in his knee, which will keep him on a limited snap count to begin the year. Durant likely will handle the bulk of the action on running downs, while Smith slots in primarily on nickel packages, and the timeshare should make both very risky IDP plays as they cut into each other's fantasy value.