{"id":177926,"date":"2025-08-26T20:32:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T20:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/177926\/"},"modified":"2025-08-26T20:32:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T20:32:11","slug":"4-biggest-snubs-on-dallas-cowboys-initial-53-man-roster-for-2025-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/177926\/","title":{"rendered":"4 biggest snubs on Dallas Cowboys initial 53-man roster for 2025 season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_vqtax06nj\">The <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/dallas-cowboys-roster-cuts-tracker-news-2025-full-list-players\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">initial 53-man roster is set <\/a>for the <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dallas Cowboys<\/a>, and as expected, there were some surprise moves made by America&#8217;s Team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_b0ns6stb5\">They <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/dallas-cowboys-waive-special-teams-ace-wr-logjam-en-route-53-man-roster\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">released fan favorites such as Jalen Brooks<\/a> and found a trade partner for <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/dallas-cowboys-trade-third-year-versatile-offensive-lineman-saints\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">former fifth-round pick Asim Richards<\/a>. They even <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/dallas-cowboys-waive-beloved-gadget-back-preseason-star-entering-year-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">released Deuce Vaughn<\/a>, ending his run with the franchise that selected him in the sixth round of the 2023 <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/draft\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">NFL draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_qjx7ii5y5\"><strong>MORE:<\/strong><a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/dallas-cowboys-53-man-roster-2025-nfl-season\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong> Dallas Cowboys initial 53-man roster set for 2025 NFL season<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_qprppi0nz\">While many of those moves made sense, these four players were let go despite proving themselves worthy of a spot. <\/p>\n<p><img class=\"base_1emrqjj-o_O-initial_fzbddc-o_O-style_1a1csmw\" alt=\"Syracuse Orange defensive back Alijah Clark warms up ahead of the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers.\" title=\"Syracuse Orange defensive back Alijah Clark warms up ahead of the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Syracuse Orange defensive back Alijah Clark warms up ahead of the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers. \/ Alex Martin\/Journal and Courier \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_i9a5bmdan\">Undrafted free agent <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/dallas-cowboys-waive-promising-udfa-safety-likely-practice-squad-candidate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Alijah Clark was one of the surprise names<\/a> mentioned among the Cowboys&#8217; releases. Clark was a standout in practices and recorded five tackles in the preseason opener.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_es7r2dp9y\">He&#8217;s likely going to the practice squad, provided he clears waivers, but he seemed to have proven himself worthy of a spot on the initial 53.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"base_1emrqjj-o_O-initial_fzbddc-o_O-style_1a1csmw\" alt=\"Los Angeles Rams center Beaux Limmer and Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey battle on the line.\" title=\"Los Angeles Rams center Beaux Limmer and Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey battle on the line.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Los Angeles Rams center Beaux Limmer and Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey battle on the line. \/ Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_80dbqvzhn\">Ironically enough, the move that led to the most frustration among the fan base was the team&#8217;s decision to <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/dallas-cowboys-release-perrion-winfrey-shined-nfl-preseason-finale\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">release Perrion Winfrey<\/a>. The UFL standout had ties to defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton and gave them a boost on the defensive line.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_909mq1rqc\"><strong>MORE:<\/strong><a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/dallas-cowboys-rookie-shavon-revel-miss-significant-time-roster-designation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong> Cowboys rookie CB to miss significant time after roster designation<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_1y7zqj7a9\">Dallas decided to let him go, however, meaning there was space for <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/mazi-smith-gets-vote-confidence-former-dallas-cowboys-first-round-bust\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mazi Smith to stick around<\/a> for a third season. That surely has a lot to do with the frustration.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"base_1emrqjj-o_O-initial_fzbddc-o_O-style_1a1csmw\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys receiver Traeshon Holden carries the ball during training camp at the River Ridge Fields.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys receiver Traeshon Holden carries the ball during training camp at the River Ridge Fields.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys receiver Traeshon Holden carries the ball during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. \/ Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_cb3oz10ja\"><a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/traeshon-holden-uplifting-message-shock-dallas-cowboys-roster-cut\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Traeshon Holden<\/a> became a fan favorite this offseason after making one highlight-reel catch after another during training camp. He continued to play well in the preseason, but his<a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/traeshon-holden-key-dallas-cowboys-roster-falls-in-one-specific-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> lack of special teams contributions<\/a> left him on the outside of the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_7bed3e6s6\">Holden has plenty of talent and could be developed into a starter down the road. If that&#8217;s going to happen in Dallas, he needs to clear waivers first.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"base_1emrqjj-o_O-initial_fzbddc-o_O-style_1a1csmw\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys safety Israel Mukuamu celebrates after an interception during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys safety Israel Mukuamu celebrates after an interception during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys safety Israel Mukuamu celebrates after an interception during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams. \/ Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_af23t7y5m\">Signed to a one-year deal after his rookie contract expired, <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/dallas-cowboys-cut-3-game-starter-db-shock-move-nfl-roster-deadline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Israel Mukuamu<\/a> was in competition for the slot cornerback spot. He was also used as a safety, and while his versatility is often praised, it could have hurt him this year since he didn&#8217;t have a defined role.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_m64wbnkxo\">All he&#8217;s done when given an opportunity is make plays, which is why it would be nice to see him back on the practice squad as well. The good news is that he&#8217;s not exposed to waivers, but he&#8217;s still free to sign elsewhere if he chooses.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014\u00a0<\/strong><a class=\"tagStyle_12j16kw-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Enjoy free coverage of the Cowboys from Dallas Cowboys on SI\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_88tgzo366\"><a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/dallas-cowboys-roster-cuts-tracker-news-2025-full-list-players\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Cowboys roster cuts tracker: List of players released on way to 53 men<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_71fwwj1rf\"><a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/dallas-cowboys-final-53-man-roster-prediction-following-nfl-preseason\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Dallas Cowboys final 53-man roster prediction following preseason finale<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_r0rr30ade\"><a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/4-dallas-cowboys-cut-candidates-team-must-hope-clear-waiver-wire-practice-squad\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>4 Cowboys cut candidates team must hope clear waiver wire for practice squad<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_w60filhvs\"><a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/james-houston-not-making-dallas-cowboys-final-cut-would-be-roster-malpractice\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>James Houston not making Cowboys final cut would be roster malpractice<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_3fzyp7rft\"><a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/ex-nfl-exec-blames-micah-parsons-dragging-out-dallas-cowboys-contract-drama\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ex-NFL exec blames Micah Parsons for dragging out Cowboys contract drama<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_zatazods6\"><a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1acf4gf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/news\/brenley-herrera-dallas-cowboys-cheerleader-2025-rookie-photos-bio\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>PHOTOS: Brenley Herrera, viral Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader rookie<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The initial 53-man roster is set for the Dallas Cowboys, and as expected, there were some surprise moves&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":177927,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5135],"tags":[5229,1596,358,3187,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":{"0":"post-177926","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dallas","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-dallas","10":"tag-texas","11":"tag-tx","12":"tag-united-states","13":"tag-united-states-of-america","14":"tag-unitedstates","15":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","16":"tag-us","17":"tag-usa"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115096974978399444","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177926","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177926"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177926\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/177927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}