SAN ANTONIO - Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips ruled out seven players for Thursday's preseason opener at Oakland, most notably starting corners Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.

Both corners have been out with injury since Aug. 8, Newman with a slight groin strain and Jenkins with a sprained ankle. Phillips said both are close to returning, but he will not risk them reinjuring themselves in the game. Orlando Scandrick and Courtney Brown will likely start on Thursday in their places.

Starting fullback Deon Anderson will miss the game as well after being hampered by a stiff and sore knee. Anderson has been back in Dallas for the last few days getting the injury evaluated. Phillips said he should know more specifics about Anderson's knee after the game.

Phillips also said outside linebacker Steve Octavien is close to returning from a groin injury he suffered the same day Jenkins and Newman went down, but will not play Thursday. Neither will rookie inside linebacker Stephen Hodge, who has been held to one practice a day after recovering from off-season arthroscopic knee surgery.

Cornerback Michael Hawkins (knee) and running back Alonzo Coleman (quad), who have both been out since the beginning of August, will not play in the game either. Every player Phillips ruled out will not travel to Oakland, but remain in San Antonio to continue rehabbing their injuries.

Rookie linebacker Brandon Williams has been held of out team drills the past two practices with shoulder soreness, but Phillips said he will go Oakland. If his shoulder has calmed down, he will play.

"It's not a problem right now," Phillips said.

As for the players who will play (which includes running back Felix Jones and tight end Martellus Bennett, who practiced Tuesday), and how much they will play, Phillips said the coaches have yet to discuss playing time. As is the routine for most teams in the first preseason games, the starters will likely play only a series or two. The rest of the emphasis is on young players trying to make the team.

"We'd like to see the young guys, not just rookies, but young players to see how they're developing," Phillips said.

Phillips will have the better part of three quarters to gauge the progress of his roster hopefuls, but what will he look for in his brief glimpse of the first team offense and defense?

"Usually it's timing with your starters," Phillips said. "You need to evaluate where they are. If a guy you thought was a real good player last year, see where he is right now. If he's at that point or better, that's good. If he's not to that point, not playing as well as he did last year, he may need more playing time in the preseason."

Phillips also said all four quarterbacks, including rookies Stephen McGee and Rudy Carpenter, probably will play.