With Asante Samuel out for Sunday night's game, rookie cornerback Trevard Lindley knows that the Dallas Cowboys will likely target him when he's on the field. Lindley said if that's the case, he'll be ready.

"When I was in there against Chicago, (Jay) Cutler was doing that a little bit. I have to be ready for it," Lindley said.

Lindley has seen extensive playing time in the last two games due to Samuel's knee injury. The experience gained playing against Chicago and Houston has given Lindley, a fourth-round pick, a better understanding of what he needs to do to be ready to play in the NFL.

"I've been doing what I've been doing the past two weeks, just going in and trying to get the plays down and be able to practice and be ready for Sunday," Lindley said. "It's a lot faster than college. I just have to go in there and go hard every play."

For the year, Lindley has played in seven games and has 12 tackles plus a game-sealing interception against the 49ers. He also recovered a fumble in the win over the Texans which led to a David Akers field goal.

Joselio Hanson, who will now start at left cornerback, has been impressed by Lindley's development over the course of the season.

"He looks like he's getting more and more confident with every rep and that's all you ask is that you get better and better every week," Hanson said.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 2:34 p.m., December 11