IRVING, Texas – Bruce Carter made one defensive tackle last year.

He hopes to have that total in the first series of Wednesday’s game against the New York Giants.

Whatever competition the Cowboys held at the inside linebacker during training camp between Carter and Dan Connor never really materialized. Carter never opened the door for Connor, even if his preseason work was light.

But things change Wednesday.

“Bruce is like a lot of young guys. He has to play,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He has to play more football. He’s shown us he can come in and do the job both in the run game and defending the pass. He’s just going to get better and better and better. I think he’s got a really good linebacker corps to work with, playing next to Sean Lee, playing inside of DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. I think he understands the standards those guys have to practice and play the right way.”

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is as anxious as any fan to see what Carter can do in the real games. Carter played mostly a special teams role as a rookie after missing the first six games recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in college.

“I think Bruce can be special in coverage, I really do,” Ryan said. “I think he can be a special blitzer. We’ll find out. It’s good to get him out there. He’s come a long way from that injury that he had. He’s worked really hard with Matt Eberflus and Sean Lee, his two coaches, so he’ll be ready to go.”