By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - The Dallas Cowboys will make their first appearance at Texas Stadium since a painful playoff loss to the Giants last January, when they play host to the Houston Texans in a preseason tilt on Friday night.

It was last Jan. 13th that the top-seeded Cowboys, fresh off a first-round bye, welcomed the rival Giants to town for a Divisional Playoff contest. Despite a 13-3 finish and a head-to-head sweep over New York in the regular season, Dallas suffered a 21-17 setback to the eventual Super Bowl champs. The loss denied the organization what would have been its first playoff win since the 1996 campaign.

Thus far in the preseason, the Cowboys have suffered road losses at the hands of the Chargers (31-17) and Broncos (23-13), scarcely playing their starters in either game.

That should change on Friday night, when Dallas' first team should see extensive action in keeping with third-game-of-preseason tradition.

Quarterback Tony Romo (9-of-12, 66 yards in the preseason), running back Marion Barber (9 rushes, 46 yards) and wideout Terrell Owens (3 receptions, 20 yards) are among the Cowboys stars who should play a bulk of the first half, at least.

Wide receiver Miles Austin, who is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a knee sprain, is among the Dallas notables who will not see action against the Texans.

While the Cowboys look to collect their first win of the 2008 preseason, the Houston Texans will be trying to keep their positive momentum rolling.

The Texans have looked generally strong in wins over the Broncos (19-16) and Saints (31-27), and will attempt to keep on pushing in advance of their regular season opener at Pittsburgh on Sept. 7.

Houston quarterback Matt Schaub (18-of-21, 216 yards, 2 TD) has been almost perfect in the preseason to date, ranking among league leaders with a 141.3 passer rating.

The Texans will use Friday as a chance to further evaluate their running back competition. Ex-Titan Chris Brown, recently-signed Cardinals castoff Marcel Shipp, and rookie Steve Slaton are among the players who will make their case to win jobs on Friday. Ahman Green (groin) remains sidelined and is reportedly in danger of being released.

Wideout Andre Johnson (groin) is questionable.

Guard Fred Weary (leg), who was placed on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week, is prominent among the Houston players who won't be in uniform Friday.

The all-time preseason series between the Cowboys and Texans is knotted, 2-2, with Houston evening the series by virtue of a 28-16 home win prior to last season.