Present roster

Dallas Cowboys Roster as it stands. Ones that might change in black/italic


Quarterback (2)

• Dak Prescott
• Cooper Rush

Running Back (2)

• Ezekiel Elliott
• Tony Pollard

Tight End (3)

• Blake Jarwin
• Dalton Schultz
• Sean McKeon

Wide Receiver (5)

• Amari Cooper
• Michael Gallup
• Cedrick Wilson
• Simi Fehoko
• Malik Turner

Offensive Line (10)

• Tyron Smith
• Tyler Biadasz
• Zack Martin
• La'el Collins
• Ty Nsekhe
• Connor McGovern
• Brandon Knight
• Terence Steele
• Matt Farniok
• Josh Ball

Defensive Line (10)

• DeMarcus Lawrence
• Randy Gregory
• Neville Gallimore
• Osa Odighizuwa
• Dorance Armstrong
• Tarell Basham
• Bradlee Anae - tradebait
• Chauncey Golston
• Brent Urban
• Quinton Bohanna

Linebacker (8)

• Micah Parsons
• Keanu Neal
• Leighton Vander Esch
• Jaylon Smith
• Jabril Cox
• Luke Gifford
• Azur Kamara
• Francis Bernard

Cornerback (7)

• Trevon Diggs
• Anthony Brown
• Jourdan Lewis
• Kelvin Joseph
• Nahshon Wright
• Maurice Canady
• C.J. Goodwin

Safety (4)

• Donovan Wilson
• Jayron Kearse
• Malik Hooker
• Israel Mukuamu

Specialists (2)

• Greg Zuerlein
• Bryan Anger

Reserve/COVID-19 (5)

• CeeDee Lamb
• Connor Williams
• Carlos Watkins
• Damontae Kazee
• Noah Brown

A note that Reserve/COVID-19 players do not count against the 53-man roster.

• Trysten Hil (PUP)
• T.J. Vasher (Reserve/NFI)

I look at our LBs and DBs and we are in faaaaar better shape than we were

Assassin said:

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Will Grier has been cut by the Panthers. He might be better than Cooper. Certainly fodder for the PS

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https://twitter.com/fishsports/status/1433105638285004806?t=y9Q1Flm29gXX_DKsy30zSg&s=19

I don't think Will Grier will make Cooper Rush very nervous

https://twitter.com/CuateHidalgo/status/1433110354700210177?t=6a189IEq_qOFFYB_6uVcaA&s=19

Check this out on the Audacy App! https://www.audacy.com/1053thefan/sports/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-sign-utility-rb-corey-clement?app=true

Oh and DiNucci is on the practice squad.

#Cowboys signing 3rd RB Corey Clement, 5-10, 220, age 26. Wisconsin, undrafted in 2017 before becoming a contributor in #Eagles' Super Bowl. He played 3 seasons there, was #Giants leading rusher in preseason. Special-teamer behind Zeke and Pollard. @1053thefan pic.twitter.com/FMHLx0TAf4

— fishsports (@fishsports) September 1, 2021

BearForce said:

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I don't think Will Grier will make Cooper Rush very nervous

https://twitter.com/CuateHidalgo/status/1433110354700210177?t=6a189IEq_qOFFYB_6uVcaA&s=19

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I guess I remember all the times he beat the crapola out of us. Dude has an arm

practice squad:

• QB Ben DiNucci
• WR Osirus Mitchell
• RB JaQuan Hardy
• S Tyler Coyle
• FB Nick Ralston
• DE Austin Faoliu
• OL Isaac Alarcn
• C Braylon Jones
• WR Brandon Smith
• S Darian Thompson
• CB Deante Burton
• TE Jeremy Sprinkle
• DT Justin Hamilton
• CB Kyron Brown

They released the punter Anger to make room for Grier. Could they be making room for another of the special teams coaches players

Assassin said:

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#Cowboys signing 3rd RB Corey Clement, 5-10, 220, age 26. Wisconsin, undrafted in 2017 before becoming a contributor in #Eagles' Super Bowl. He played 3 seasons there, was #Giants leading rusher in preseason. Special-teamer behind Zeke and Pollard. @1053thefan pic.twitter.com/FMHLx0TAf4

— fishsports (@fishsports) September 1, 2021

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Love this signing, Clements is a tough, hard runner.

Clements is also a Special Teams ace. Across four seasons in Philadelphia, he played 742 special teams snaps. He also worked spot duty as a return man, fielding seven punts and 19 kicks during that time span.

The Patriots will be signing former Cowboys QB Garrett Gilbert to their practice squad. Current QB group: Mac Jones as the starter along with Brian Hoyer (PS), Gilbert (PS) and Jarrett Stidham (PUP).

A testament to how good the Cowboys Receiver Corp is, WR Simi Fehoko taken Day 3 of the Draft, finished the Preseason with an Offensive grade (59.4), more than double that of 1st Round, Pick Number 5 WR Ja'Marr Chase (29.5)

The Cowboys four guys on the COVID-19 list, CeeDee Lamb, Connor Williams, Damontae Kazee and Carlos Watkins, will not be activated today. The Cowboys are hoping they will come off the list before practice tomorrow, per source

Cowboys are re-signing rookie RB JaQuan Hardy to practice squad, source said. He attracted practice-squad interest from a number of other teams, but Hardy can see his future in Dallas.

Good story about Azur Kamara, the undersized DE from the Ivory Coast

He made the 53 man roster so he took a huge step up

Cowboys are expected to re-sign veteran S Darian Thompson to their practice squad, source said. He is eligible to be twice elevated from the practice squad, contributing on game day as a core special teamer. Buccaneers may see him yet in next Thursday's season opener.

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 1, 2021

Assassin said:

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Clements is also a Special Teams ace. Across four seasons in Philadelphia, he played 742 special teams snaps. He also worked spot duty as a return man, fielding seven punts and 19 kicks during that time span.

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this will be a one year contract

Ron'Dell Carter, DE

Carter, an undrafted free agent Dallas signed in 2020, went unclaimed on waivers, but he won't be returning to Dallas,. Carter is planning to sign instead with the Cardinals' practice squad, a source told DMN's Michael Gehlken.

Dak Prescott has not taken a snap against an opposing defense since Oct. 11.

Connor Williams moves closer to return. Here's the latest on his status.

Updates | @SleepNumber

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 3, 2021

WR Michael Gallup missed practice due to the birth of a baby. An excused absence indeed.

QBs with the best passer rating since 2018

Drew Brees - 113.0
Patrick Mahomes - 109.3
Russell Wilson - 107.2
Ryan Tannehill - 105.9
Deshaun Watson - 104.7
Aaron Rodgers - 104.3
Kirk Cousins - 103.6
Lamar Jackson - 102.6
Derek Carr - 98.6
Dak Prescott - 98.6

*min: 900 attempts

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) September 3, 2021

More visits: NYJ: DBs Sheldrick Redwin, Jarrod Wilson. PHILA: LB Christian Elliss; DT Marvin Wilson

— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) September 3, 2021

wonder what is going on with Marvin WIlson

Assassin said:

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More visits: NYJ: DBs Sheldrick Redwin, Jarrod Wilson. PHILA: LB Christian Elliss; DT Marvin Wilson

— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) September 3, 2021

wonder what is going on with Marvin WIlson

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Medical is the rumor

Three players have been activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list: wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, defensive tackle Carlos Watkins and safety Damontae Kazee.

And six players have been placed on IR-to-return: cornerback Kelvin Joseph, offensive tackle Josh Ball, wide receiver Malik Turner, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, tight end Sean McKeon and linebacker Francis Bernard.

With these moves, the Cowboys created enough roster space to bring back long snapper Jake McQuaide and officially sign veteran running back Corey Clement, who's expected to replace Rico Dowdle (IR-hip) as the third running back and a core special teams contributor. Punter Bryan Anger is expected to be signed in the next couple days, head coach Mike McCarthy said.

Bleacher Report just ranked the Cowboys as the third-most talented roster in the entire NFL. Being a life-long Dallas fan I love to hear that, but that seems extremely high to me. What do you guys think and where would you rank them against the league? MARK SOMMA / GAINESVILLE, VA
Rob: The Cowboys didn't have a Pro Bowl selection last year, so it's easy for people to write off that ranking and say it's overhyping America's Team. That was an aberration because of injuries, particularly on offense. I'm not an expert on all 32 teams, but there aren't many with as much young and veteran talent as the Dallas offense. Defensively, obviously, they need to take a huge step forward after how last year went. A healthy Leighton Vander Esch, an improved Trevon Diggs, and additions like Micah Parsons and Keanu Neal can help transform the group. I don't know if they're third overall, but yes, there are a lot of talented guys on both sides of the ball.
David: Third overall feels insanely high for a team that fielded one of the worst defenses in the league. Just thinking off the top of my head, it's hard to imagine the Cowboys have a better roster than Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Kansas City, San Francisco, Buffalo or Cleveland. That said, the Cowboys do have a lot of offensive firepower, and it's hard not to feel excited about a few of the pieces they've added on defense. I think this is a Top 10 roster, for sure just not Top 3.

Trevon Diggs has a new number, and he's not alone.

The second-year Cowboys cornerback no longer will wear a No. 27 jersey, switching to the No. 7 that he wore in college at Alabama. This was one of several changes to Cowboys programs.

Safety Jayron Kearse, formerly No. 32, is the new 27.

Rookie defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa went from No. 75 to 97, linebacker Jabril Cox went from No. 48 to 14, rookie cornerback Nahshon Wright from 40 to 25 and defensive end Azur Kamara from 48 to 54.

The Dallas Cowboys might be without their starting right tackle in their Week 1 season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Offensive tackle La'el Collins, unfortunately, missed Friday's practice due to a neck injury he sustained earlier in training camp.

In an article written by the Around the NFL Staff of NFL.com, they confirmed the injury and revealed head coach Mike McCarthy's plan on how to handle it. McCarthy ultimately is looking at keeping an eye on Collins to see how he heals up before Week 1.

Zack Martin out Thursday with Covid

ESPN Staff Writer

Ezekiel Elliott called 2021 a "new chapter, so I can kinda redeem myself." He dropped weight, saying in training camp he was 218 pounds, his lowest since his freshman year at Ohio State and he had to get his suits re-tailored. "I feel like it couldn't hurt me," he said of the weight loss. "We'll see how it feels once we start hitting. I haven't been hit yet. I definitely want to kinda see where it puts me, how it feels and if I feel strong enough and being able to carry the load."

Right tackle La'el Collins got through Monday's padded practice as a full participant. That's an encouraging sign for a group that will already be missing Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin in the opener.
Collins suffered a stinger on Aug. 27 and didn't return to the practice field until Sunday.
"I like the work that LC put on film yesterday," head coach Mike McCarthy said Monday ahead of the right tackle's second consecutive practice.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Micah Parsons, ILB, Dallas Cowboys

Parsons -- a 6-1 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook to win this award -- has the chance to rack up serious numbers in Dan Quinn's defense as a do-it-all specialist. The Cowboys plan to use him in coverage and off the edge.

"He was the best defensive player in the draft, and he fell to Dallas," an AFC exec said about the No. 11 pick who was considered a top-10 prospect for most of the draft process. "I think some teams overthought it. Not sure if it was a personality with some teams [in the top 10]. But he's too good of an athlete not to have an immediate impact."

As a separate AFC exec clarified: "A massive impact."

Elsewhere, the rich get richer in Tampa, where edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka's explosive preseason garnered buzz in league circles. He wasn't a marquee name entering the draft but was quietly the best pass-rusher available in the minds of some evaluators. The Steelers, for example, would have strongly considered selecting him at No. 24 if they didn't take running back Najee Harris. And Tampa Bay's equal-opportunity pass rush -- with no double-digit sack guys but three players who tallied 8 to 9.5 sacks last season -- could create plenty of open lanes for Tryon-Shoyinka.

"He will make an immediate impact," an NFC exec said. "Toughness and technique."

Evaluators also are raving about Broncos corner Pat Surtain II, citing his technique, smoothness and poise. He never looks rushed or stressed. But eight of the past 10 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year winners were in the front seven, so unless Surtain racks up interceptions quickly, this award will be tough for him to snag.

Also creating buzz: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (Buccaneers), Pat Surtain II (Broncos), Jaycee Horn (Panthers), Kwity Paye (Colts)

ESPN picking us 14 in the power rankings

14. Dallas Cowboys

Coordinator Dan Quinn gets the Cowboys' defense back to respectability if ...
...
LB Micah Parsons can handle all the Cowboys are asking of him. The 2021 No. 12 overall pick is lining up at middle linebacker, making the calls and checks, while also being used as an edge rusher. His versatility could free up others on defense, such as edge rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory, and Leighton Vander Esch or Keanu Neal at linebacker. That's a lot of responsibility to put on a rookie, but he has shown he can be that player. Of course, having a high-scoring offense will make it easier for the Cowboys' defense to climb back to respectability, too.

Breakout candidate: CeeDee Lamb, WR

Would Lamb really qualify as a breakout star? He had 74 catches for 935 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie, and he is a first-round draft pick, so people should know him. But he could do so much more, especially in a full season with QB Dak Prescott. He caught at least five passes in all of Prescott's five starts and had two 100-yard games. The duo's lack of work in training camp together isn't that concerning because of how well they clicked last season without any real offseason or preseason games.

Bold prediction: RB Ezekiel Elliott will lead the NFL in rushing.

If that's not bold, especially after Elliott ran for 979 yards last season, what is? Many assume he is on the downside of his career after he signed his $90 million contract, and has been passed on the list of best running backs by guys such as Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook or others. With Prescott missing a lot of training camp and four preseason games with a latissimus strain, Elliott needs to be a featured part of the attack. And with the returns of Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and La'el Collins, the offensive line is on a mission to reclaim its spot as one of the best in the NFL, too. In their first six games, the Cowboys face four rundefenses that ranked outside the top half of the league in 2020. -- Todd Archer

Panthers earn the No. 1 overall pick after 2021

There was a moment, early in the season, when it looked like the Sam Darnold experiment was going to work out and that offensive coordinator Joe Brady had fixed the mess that Adam Gase (Darnold's former coach in New York) had made. The Carolina Panthers opened the season 4-1, first beating Darnold's old Jets team in Week 1 and then going on to earn wins against the Saints, Texans and Eagles (with a loss to the Cowboys). But those opponents were not that tough, and the 4-1 record was a mirage.

Coach Matt Rhule's team would win just one more game the rest of the way (against the Falcons) and end the season at 5-12 and in a dramatic five-way tie for the NFL's worst record. Carolina needed to lose in its final week to win the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker and earn the No. 1 overall pick -- and it did, as the Bucs beat Carolina 33-7.

Darnold is under contract with the Panthers through the 2022 season, but Carolina would likely be taking serious looks at Spencer Rattler, Sam Howell and the rest of the 2022 class' top QBs come next April if things play out like this.

Here are the rest of the teams picking in the top five, all of which finished at 5-12:
2. New York Giants
3. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks)
4. New York Jets
5. Houston Texans