A day after making some shocking cuts to get down to 53 players, the Dallas Cowboys announced their practice squad signings, let’s look at those players
Many Dallas Cowboys fans are likely still in shock today as the news from their 53-man roster cuts is still fresh. Obviously, the one that shook most people was the unexpected release of kicker Dan Bailey.
While Bailey did struggle with accuracy and health in 2017, he’s still the second-most accurate kicker of all-time and all reports had suggested he was healthy entering 2018.
Bailey wasn’t the only move that shocked some people. The Cowboys also let go of several offseason acquisitions that they were reportedly very happy about.
Defensive end Kony Ealy, defensive tackle Jihad Ward, and wide receiver Deonte Thompson were all cut as the roster was being trimmed.
Another interesting move had the Cowboys going with just two running backs as Darius Jackson and Bo Scarbrough were both released — which ended the speculation about which of the two earned that third and supposed final spot.
Many of the players released are eligible to make the team’s 10-man practice squad, and news about those additions slowly trickled in on Sunday. Before that happened though, Dallas made a couple waiver claims and corresponding releases.
Claimed: Safety Ibraheim Campbell and center Adam Redmond
Waived: Guard Kadeem Edwards and defensive tackle Brian Price
So far, here are the names added to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad for 2018.
Players named to the practice squad
Offensive tackle Jake Campos
Running back Jordan Chunn
Running back Darius Jackson
Wide receiver Lance Lenoir
Wide receiver Dres Anderson
Cornerback Donovan Olumba
Linebacker Kyle Queiro and
Defensive end Charles Tapper
What does the team tell us?
Being honest? This tells us very little. What we do know is none of the players the Cowboys released on Saturday were claimed, so any calculated risks were made wisely.
Having two running backs makes a lot of sense considering they went so slim at the position. Chances are a running back will be added to the main roster, which means there could be someone headed to IR — potentially a Noah Brown.
The players who are most likely to make the roster and have an impact here are Charles Tapper and Darius Jackson. Both have played well in preseason games, and Tapper has displayed pass rush skills in regular season games as well. Each has also been limited by their own durability.
Many were worried about the loss of Lance Lenoir when he was cut, but he landed safely back with the team. He’s still too raw and made a lot of mistakes — including two muffed punts in one game — during the preseason. He likely hangs out here all season with another shot at the roster next year.
The most telling thing about this list is it’s incomplete. Dallas still has two open spots to fill to complete the roster. They could be waiting to see if Price and Edwards clear waivers, or possibly add their seventh-round pick Bo Scarbrough, the former Alabama power back.