"There was a notable absence from Tuesday's practice at Valley Ranch.

Starting strong safety Roy Williams missed practice because of tendinitis in his left knee.

Williams was replaced by Patrick Watkins, normally the backup free safety, at strong safety in some defensive packages.

The Cowboys don't believe Williams' knee will pose a problem.

"It was not an injury type of thing," owner Jerry Jones said. "In my view, what I interpreted, it was just needing some rest. [It's] a chronic thing."

Along with Watkins, Courtney Brown received more snaps with Williams sidelined.

Coach Wade Phillips is using Brown and Watkins at both safety positions to add diversity to the defense.

"As backup players, they need to be able to play both," Phillips said.

Watkins intercepted a pass during practice while playing zone coverage.

No on Joe Horn: Jones said the team has no interest in signing veteran wide receiver Joe Horn, who was cut by the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday.

Horn's agent, Ralph Vitolo, called the Cowboys to see if they would take a look. The Cowboys have had internal discussion about a lot of players over the last few weeks, including Horn.

With Miles Austin out four to six weeks with a sprained MCL, there was a thought the Cowboys might try to find another wide receiver.

"We don't need anything because of Austin. We like these young guys, and we still need to take a look at [them]," Jones said.

Jones said he's excited about watching Isaiah Stanback and Sam Hurd in the final two preseason games.

Jones wants to return kicks: Adam Jones returned his first punt of the preseason last week and is asking the coaches if he can return kickoffs too.

The Cowboys want to keep looking at Stanback, Orlando Scandrick and Austin in that role.

There's also a chance Mike Jenkins or Felix Jones could do it.

But why not Adam Jones?

"I think it's size," Phillips said of the 5-10, 185-pound cornerback. "On kickoff returns, usually you need a bigger guy who can run through tackles, because those guys are coming down a little bit different than they are on punts.""