<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
Dallas Cowboys<\/a> 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\u2019s cut-down day.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Cowboys set their initial roster with some interesting decisions. It\u2019s important to note that NFL rosters will still likely change. All teams must submit waiver claims before noon Central on\u00a0Monday. If a team is awarded a claimed player, then that player must be added to the team\u2019s 53-man roster.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s break down the Cowboys’ initial 53-man roster. \u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Quarterback (3)<\/p>\n Dak Prescott, Joe Milton III, Sam Howell<\/strong><\/p>\n We figured the race between Milton and Howell would go down to the wire<\/a>. The two played so well, in fact, that the Cowboys decided to keep both on the initial roster. It\u2019ll be interesting to see which player gets the nod as the team\u2019s backup quarterback on game day. Milton\u2019s ability to do quarterback sneaks like\u00a0Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia could give him an edge.\u00a0<\/p>\n Running back (3)<\/p>\n Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, Hunter Luepke<\/strong><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Notable cuts:<\/strong> Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, Israel Abanikanda\u00a0<\/p>\n Waiving Blue might\u2019ve been the biggest surprise of the day<\/a>. The reasoning probably goes back to special teams. Blue didn\u2019t 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\u2019ll be interesting to see if they bring back Blue and Mafah on the practice squad.<\/p>\n Wide receiver (6)<\/p>\n CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Camden Brown<\/strong><\/p>\n Notable cuts:<\/strong> Anthony Smith, Marquez Valdes-Scantling<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 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<\/a>. Brown dazzled in preseason, going from a\u00a0long shot to making the team\u2019s roster<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n Tight end (3)<\/p>\n Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker<\/strong><\/p>\n Notable cuts:<\/strong> Michael Trigg, D.J. Rogers<\/p>\n The Cowboys decided to not have their highest-paid undrafted free agent on the initial roster<\/a>, contradicting a common theme they\u2019ve 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Offensive line (10)<\/p>\n Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Drew Shelton, Ajani Cornelius, Broderick Jones<\/strong><\/p>\n Notable cuts:<\/strong> Trevor Keegan, Nick Leverett<\/p>\n The Cowboys traded\u00a0Nate Thomas, a competitor for the starting left tackle job at on point, to the Houston Texans<\/a> for a 2027 seventh-round pick on Sunday. The trade for Broderick Jones on Saturday paved the way for Thomas’ departure<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n Interior defensive line (5)<\/p>\n Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, L.T. Overton, Jonathan Bullard<\/strong><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Notable cuts:<\/strong> Jay Toia, Tommy Dunn, D.J. Withers<\/p>\n This was the easiest group to forecast. The only question was whether\u00a0Toia\u2019s late preseason emergence or the splashy plays of Dunn would be enough to earn a roster spot. We\u2019ll see how many they can get to the practice squad.\u00a0<\/p>\n Outside linebacker\/Edge (6)<\/p>\n Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, Von Miller, James Houston, Tyrus Wheat<\/strong><\/p>\n Notable cuts:<\/strong> Sam Williams,\u00a0Isaiah Land<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n