The Dallas Cowboys, and all 32 NFL teams, are now down to just 53 players on their active roster. The deadline to get down to the maximum was 4:00 pm eastern time on Tuesday, and there were a handful of noteworthy changes that may have defied some fans’ expectations.
Dallas ended up with just 23 defenders, as offense seemed to rule the day with 26 members of the club. Here’s a breakdown of who made the club at each spot, followed by a collection of thoughts on the whole thing and who we’re projecting to be brought back to the practice squad if not signed elsewhere.
Quarterback (3)
- Dak Prescott
- Cooper Rush
- Trey Lance
Running back (4)
- Ezekiel Elliott
- Rico Dowdle
- Hunter Luepke
- Deuce Vaughn
Wide Receiver (5)
- Brandin Cooks
- Jalen Tolbert
- Kavontae Turpin
- Jalen Brooks
- Ryan Flournoy
Tight End (4)
- Jake Ferguson
- Luke Schoonmaker
- John Stephens Jr.
- Brevyn Spann-Ford
Offensive Line (10)
- Tyler Guyton
- Tyler Smith
- Cooper Beebe
- Zack Martin
- Terence Steele
- Brock Hoffman
- T.J. Bass
- Asim Richards
- Matt Waletzko
- Chuma Edoga
Defensive Ends (4)
- Micah Parsons
- DeMarcus Lawrence
- Marshawn Kneeland
- Tyrus Wheat
Defensive Tackles (5)
- Osa Odighizuwa
- Mazi Smith
- Chauncey Golston
- Jordan Phillips
- Linval Joseph
Linebacker (5)
- Eric Kendricks
- DeMarvion Overshown
- Marist Liufau
- Damone Clark
- Buddy Johnson
Cornerback (4)
- Trevon Diggs
- Jourdan Lewis
- Caelen Carson
- Andrew Booth
Safety (5)
- Donovan Wilson
- Malik Hooker
- Markquese Bell
- Juanyeh Thomas
- Israel Mukuamu
Specialists (4)
- Brandon Aubrey
- Bryan Anger
- Trent Sieg
- C.J. Goodwin
2023 and 2024 Draft Picks
The Cowboys selected eight players in the 2024 draft and six of them are on the initial roster. Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe secured starting spots on the offensive line and DE Marshawn Kneeland and LB Marist Liafau are expected to be key reserves for the defense.
With the injury to DaRon Bland, it’s expected that Caelen Carson moves into the starting lineup temporarily at cornerback as he’s had a strong training camp and looks to be another Day 3 steal for Will McClay and company.
OT Nathan Thomas was placed on season-ending IR and will redshirt the season. The only player truly cut loose was seventh-round NT Justin Rogers who may return to the practice squad.
As for the much maligned 2023 class, the top three picks are all secure with NT Mazi Smith, TE Luke Schoonmaker and LB DeMarvion Overshown expected to be key contributors out the gate. DE Viliami Fehoko was waived/injured. OT Asim Richards is expected to be a key backup, but CB Eric Scott, Jr. was cut loose.
RB Deuce Vaughn and WR Jalen Brooks, respective sixth and seventh rounders, both made the squad.
Not here but coming soon
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 10: (L-R) CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jones attend Michael Rubin’s 2024 Fanatics Super Bowl Party at the Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on February 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Fanatics)
The Cowboys do not have CeeDee Lamb on the roster. Technically he is now on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, but he will certainly be on the field against the Browns in Week 1.
The club kept Chuma Edoga on the active roster, but he will be moved to IR on Wednesday and Lamb will take his spot. Also not on the 53 is DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, who has one game remaining on a six-game suspension from 2023 and will not be on the roster until Week 2.
Surprise Cuts
Nov 29, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson (58) reacts to his team prior to the game between the New York Giants and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
There was a lot of scuttlebutt about the potential that Josh Ball had turned the corner, but that waned over the last couple weeks and he was waived.
The biggest surprise was DE Carl Lawson, who the club signed in the exhibition season but who never saw the field in the final preseason game. LB Darius Harris flashed considerably in the final exhibition, but he was also put on the chopping block.
They didn't try to game the system with expected pawns.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 17: Cooper Rush #10 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
The Cowboys could have pulled some interesting moves in order to hold on to more of the youth they wanted to keep in house, and it will be interesting to see if they get burned by their decisions. Vested veterans are not subject to waivers and in past years the club has leveraged this to release players with a gentleman’s agreement they would stay in town to be placed on the practice squad and then get elevated until roster room was created (normally by players going to IR or not proving their worth).
But Dallas chose to keep both Cooper Rush and specialist CJ Goodwin on the 53; two guys who have been used in this manner before. This more than likely means the club has other players they want to have on the practice squad who they intend to elevate on gameday for Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns.
Projected Practice Squad
Jan 29, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Darius Harris (47) celebrates after winning the AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s our best guess at who the team will bring back IF the ones subject to it can clear waivers.
RB Malik Davis
RB Royce Freeman
TE Princeton Fant
WR Jalen Cropper
WR Kelvin Harmon
WR Tyron Billy-Johnson
OC Dakoda Shepley
OL Josh Ball
DE Carl Lawson
DT Albert Huggins
DT Justin Rogers
DT Denzel Daxon (IPP)
LB Darius Harris
LB Willie Harvey
CB Kemon Hall
CB Josh Butler
Saf Julius Wood
