Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Dak Prescott (4) and Sam Howell (16) watch as Joe Milton III (10) fires a pass downfield during an open training camp practice at The Star in Frisco, August 25, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said multiple times recently that the Cowboys’ roster is better on paper than it was a year ago. That also created some difficult decisions, as we saw during Sunday’s cut-down day.
The Cowboys set their initial roster with some interesting decisions. It’s important to note that NFL rosters will still likely change. All teams must submit waiver claims before noon Central on Monday. If a team is awarded a claimed player, then that player must be added to the team’s 53-man roster.
Let’s break down the Cowboys’ initial 53-man roster.
Article continues below this ad
Quarterback (3)
Dak Prescott, Joe Milton III, Sam Howell
We figured the race between Milton and Howell would go down to the wire. The two played so well, in fact, that the Cowboys decided to keep both on the initial roster. It’ll be interesting to see which player gets the nod as the team’s backup quarterback on game day. Milton’s ability to do quarterback sneaks like Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia could give him an edge.
Running back (3)
Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, Hunter Luepke
Article continues below this ad
Notable cuts: Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, Israel Abanikanda
Waiving Blue might’ve been the biggest surprise of the day. The reasoning probably goes back to special teams. Blue didn’t develop there like the Cowboys hoped. By going light at running back, the Cowboys could go heavy on players who could help out on special teams. It’ll be interesting to see if they bring back Blue and Mafah on the practice squad.
Wide receiver (6)
CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Camden Brown
Notable cuts: Anthony Smith, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Article continues below this ad
The Cowboys have been willing to let receivers hit the waiver wire before bringing them back before. Brown proved too good to be worth the risk. Brown dazzled in preseason, going from a long shot to making the team’s roster. He did so ahead of multiple veterans and seventh-round pick Anthony Smith. Mingo also earned a spot with some big catches in the preseason and a highlight-reel, touchdown-saving special teams tackle that caught the eye of the coaching staff against Seattle.
Tight end (3)
Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
Notable cuts: Michael Trigg, D.J. Rogers
The Cowboys decided to not have their highest-paid undrafted free agent on the initial roster, contradicting a common theme they’ve had in the past. They hope Trigg can make it through waivers and return to the practice squad, where he can continue his development under tight ends coach Lunda Wells.
Article continues below this ad
Offensive line (10)
Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Drew Shelton, Ajani Cornelius, Broderick Jones
Notable cuts: Trevor Keegan, Nick Leverett
The Cowboys traded Nate Thomas, a competitor for the starting left tackle job at on point, to the Houston Texans for a 2027 seventh-round pick on Sunday. The trade for Broderick Jones on Saturday paved the way for Thomas’ departure. The Cowboys should feel good about their top six offensive linemen. After that, this is a group with some questions. The Cowboys will likely want Keegan and Leverett on the practice squad for center depth.
Interior defensive line (5)
Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, L.T. Overton, Jonathan Bullard
Article continues below this ad
Notable cuts: Jay Toia, Tommy Dunn, D.J. Withers
This was the easiest group to forecast. The only question was whether Toia’s late preseason emergence or the splashy plays of Dunn would be enough to earn a roster spot. We’ll see how many they can get to the practice squad.
Outside linebacker/Edge (6)
Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, Von Miller, James Houston, Tyrus Wheat
Notable cuts: Sam Williams, Isaiah Land
Article continues below this ad
Injured reserve with designation to return: Marist Liufau
Signing Miller made things very competitive for the back end of this roster. If Liufau doesn’t get hurt in the preseason finale, is Wheat on this team? Maybe still. Wheat is another player who brings consistent special teams ability. The Cowboys said goodbye to Williams, who signed a $2 million guaranteed contract this offseason to return to the Cowboys.
Inside linebacker (4)
DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, Shemar James
Notable cuts: Justin Barron, Curtis Robinson
The Cowboys went light at linebacker initially. They decided to cut both Robinson and Barron, who spent most of last year on the practice squad. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Barron return to the team’s practice squad. Are the Cowboys done here? We’ll see, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they added to this room eventually.
Secondary (10)
DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel Jr., Caleb Downs, Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell, Alijah Clark, Caelen Carson
Notable cuts: Derion Kendrick, Julius Wood, Reddy Steward
Injured reserve with designation to return: Devin Moore
The Cowboys want to be more stout on special teams. That’s part of the reason they decided to bring back both Bell and Clark initially. With Moore on injured reserve, don’t rule out a waiver claim or a veteran signing at outside corner to bolster this room.
Special teams (3)
Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
There was never a question here. The Cowboys bring back one of the best special teams trios in the league.