by Sports Xchange

--FS Alan Ball will start at free safety in place of the injured Ken Hamlin. Ball moved from cornerback to safety this season and it will be his first career start at the position.

"It's a position we worked him in all along," coach Wade Phillips said. "He obviously is very versatile. He came in and played corner and made a big play a couple games ago, but he's ready to go in."

--RT Doug Free was named the starter at right tackle in place of the injured Marc Colombo. It will be Free's first career start.

--CB Mike Jenkins was sidelined in the third quarter against the Packers with a bruised biceps muscle. He was able to make it through a full practice on Wednesday and said he will play against the Redskins.

--K Nick Folk has missed four field goals this season, including a 38-yarder against the Packers. Folk missed most of the offseason with a hip injury and says he is still working out the kinks.

"There's a lot that goes into my offseason that people don't see necessarily," Folk said. "I don't want to put any blame on anyone else. That was a tough deal. I just have to get it right from here on out and make a playoff run."

--PK David Buehler has a fractured right pinky toe. Still he plans to try to kick off on Sunday. He missed Wednesday's practice and then tested his toe on Thursday. He plans to tape his toes together to hopefully reduce the pain. Buehler said it bothers him when he runs and plants but said he will work through it. If he can't go, kicker Nick Folk will handle both duties.

GAME PLAN: After being their own worst enemy against the Packers with penalties, turnovers and assignment breakdowns, the Cowboys must find a way to get out of their own way against the Redskins. Don't be fooled by the Redskins' top-ranked pass defense. There are plays to be made against the Redskins' secondary. The Cowboys will try to stay balanced by forcing the run, but look for them to go up top to Miles Austin and Roy Williams. Defensively, the key is stopping Ladell Betts and the run and making Jason Campbell beat you with his arm. Betts had 114 yards in the upset victory against the Broncos.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Cowboys running game vs. Redskins rush defense. The Cowboys' running game has struggled of late, but it's getting the right tonic in meeting the Redskins' 24th-ranked rushing defense on Sunday. The Redskins are giving up an average of 125.7 yards per game. After rushing just 14 times for 61 yards against the Packers and being criticized roundly for it, the Cowboys will force the run against the Redskins and feature a heavy dose of Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.

Cowboys RT Doug Free vs. Redskins LB Brian Orakpo. Free is starting his first game in place of the injured Marc Colombo. He has decent feet and is somewhat athletic, but he is not very strong. He will have his hands full with Orakpo, the team's top draft pick, who is fast and strong. Orakpo is getting better every week and has seven sacks in the past seven games.

INJUY IMPACT: RT Marc Colombo is out six weeks with a high ankle sprain and fractured left fibula. He underwent surgery Monday to repair ligaments in the ankle. He hopes to return by the end of the season.

FS Ken Hamlin is out two to four weeks with a high ankle sprain. Alan Ball will start in his place.