The Dallas Cowboys officially wrapped up the 2024 preseason on Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cowboys coaches and front office will now begin the arduous task of pairing the roster down from 90 to 53 players by Tuesday’s deadline.
With the training camp roster being almost cut in half, there will be some veterans and rookies, who will shockingly be released. Some players will end up back in Dallas through the practice squad, while others will try to latch on with another team in the league.
The Cowboys have a lot of depth at various positions on both sides of the ball, so we should expect numerous wide receivers, linemen, and running backs to be released. That said, we’ll highlight 10 players who will not be in Dallas this season after spending the entire summer with the organization.
1. Cooper Rush
Even though Trey Lance struggled mightily on Saturday with five interceptions, the Cowboys could still decide to keep the young quarterback and release Cooper Rush.
The 30-year-old quarterback has only attempted six passes this preseason as Dallas has made a concerted effort to give Lance as many reps as possible to evaluate him. To his credit, the young quarterback has shown signs of growth this summer, which is a good sign for the Cowboys and the future at the position.
However, it’s not a good sign for Rush, who could end up being one of the final cuts on Tuesday after the team releases several players at other positions.
Rush has been a backup quarterback staple in Dallas for many years after going undrafted in 2017. The veteran signal-caller has been activated from the practice squad multiple times and even had a small stint with the New York Giants in 2020.
But that stint didn’t last long as the Giants released Rush on Sept. 29, 2020, and he was back with the Cowboys in November of that year. Rush has completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 1,619 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions in 26 games with Dallas.
Those aren’t eye-popping stats from Rush, but that’s a good thing as it means the starting QB situation has been fine in Dallas.
That said, if the Cowboys ultimately move on from Rush, do not be surprised to see him back on the team’s practice squad.
They can afford to waive Rush and take the chance he returns to the practice squad. However, the same thing can’t be said for Lance, who is still young in his career.
2. Malik Davis
With second-year running back Deuce Vaughn coming into his own in the preseason, it means Malik Davis, Royce Freeman, Snoop Conner, and Nathaniel Peat could be all off the roster.
Davis has been with the Cowboys for the last two seasons after going undrafted out of the University of Florida.
The 5-foot-11 running back saw some action as a rookie in 2022, rushing for 161 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries. He also had six receptions (seven targets) for 63 yards and played 52 percent of special teams snaps.
However, the former Florida running back didn’t receive a single carry last season as he only appeared in three games. It was a stark contrast from 2022 as Davis was consistently elevated from the practice squad to the active roster in 2023.
Fast forward to the preseason and Davis hasn’t looked impressive on the ground. He finished with 60 yards on 18 carries for a pedestrian 3.3 yards per carry average. The young running back posted 14 yards on five carries in Dallas’ second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Davis had one more chance to show the coaches something against the Chargers and picked up 28 yards on five carries (5.6 yards per carry).
That said, due to his familiarity with the organization, it would not be shocking to see Davis clear waivers and join the Cowboys’ practice squad. Davis won’t be sought after by other teams in the league, making this an easy choice for Dallas.
3. Royce Freeman
Freeman will be one of the more shocking cuts as the Cowboys’ brass was high on the veteran at the start of training camp.
The 28-year-old running back was sidelined for the early part of training camp and preseason because of a groin injury. Freeman made his preseason debut against the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
The former Los Angeles Rams running back rushed for 32 yards on seven carries (4.6 yards per carry). Freeman came in for Davis, who got the start against the Raiders.
In Saturday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, he had 35 rushing yards on eight carries and a seven-yard catch. The Cowboys’ final roster spot at running back will likely come down to Freeman and Vaughn. Dallas would love to keep both on the 53-man roster.
However, with Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle cementing themselves as the top two options in the backfield, Freeman could be the odd man out after signing in Dallas on a one-year deal.
4. Jalen Moreno-Cropper
Moreno-Cropper will sadly lose out to rookie Ryan Flournoy for the WR6 spot on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster.
The 23-year-old wide receiver had a huge special teams gaffe in last week’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Moreno-Cropper fumbled on a punt return, giving the Raiders excellent field position.
It was one of those plays you couldn’t believe happened. And it shouldn’t happen on special teams where players like Moreno-Cropper will play the most. Outside of that mistake on the punt return, the Fresno State wide receiver has played well in the preseason.
The young receiver had five receptions (10 targets) for 32 yards, including one reception (three targets) for six yards in the preseason finale against the Chargers.
The 6-foot wide receiver signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft and joined their practice squad after preseason last summer.
Moreno-Cropper didn’t see any playing time last season but was signed to a futures/reserve contract at the end of the 2023 campaign.
Dallas likes what they see from the former Fresno State wide receiver, but he likely needs more time on the practice squad before taking that next step in his career. Look out for Dallas to keep a few wide receivers on their practice squad roster as they try to develop more guys in case someone gets hurt.
5. Peyton Hendershot
The third-year tight end hasn’t missed the first two games in the preseason, as he’s been battling a shoulder injury. Hendershot made his preseason debut against the Chargers on Saturday. He had one reception for 10 yards and played 20 offensive snaps.
This is a make-or-break summer for the former Indiana tight end, who could be one of those shocking cuts on Tuesday. Dallas is locked in with Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker as the top two tight ends on the depth chart.
However, Hendershot would be in the mix for TE3 if he was healthy, but John Stephens Jr. and Brevyn Spann-Ford have shown more.
And not to mention, Dallas gave Spann-Ford a good amount of guaranteed money as a UDFA, so there are incentives on both sides to see what he can do. As for Hendershot, there’s a small chance the Cowboys bring him back to the practice squad.
But it’s hard to trust Hendershot’s health after he appeared in 17 games as a rookie, and only eight games last season because of an ankle injury. The 25-year-old tight end got offseason surgery on his ankle.
If I’m Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, I’m comfortable parting ways with Hendershot based on what I've seen from the other guys.
There are already question marks about Schoonmaker heading into this season, and you don’t want to be in the same situation with Hendershot.
6. Durrell Johnson
Johnson is one of the players we highlighted who could be on the chopping block after Dallas signed Carl Lawson and acquired Jordan Phillips in a trade.
The former Liberty defensive end has a tough uphill climb to make the Cowboys’ 53-man roster as Dallas is stacked at defensive end. Heading into Dallas’ first preseason game, Johnson was listed as the third-string DE behind Chauncey Golston and DeMarcus Lawrence.
However, when you factor in Al-Quadin Muhammad and Carl Lawson, Johnson is more likely a cut candidate who could return to the practice squad.
The 6-foot-3 defensive end played 25 defensive snaps and recorded one tackle in Dallas’ first preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. However, in last week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, he played 39 defensive snaps (51%) and recorded one tackle and a pass breakup.
The Cowboys signed him to a futures contract at the end of last season, so they believe in his talent. But he didn’t do much to stand out, especially when you have other guys at the position, who are known to get after the quarterback.
7. Albert Huggins
With the additions of Jordan Phillips and Linval Joseph over the last two weeks, Huggins might have a hard time making the Cowboys’ 53-man roster.
The sixth-year defensive lineman was in hot water earlier this month at training camp as he got kicked out of a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams. Huggins knocked down a member of the Rams’ staff during a drill, which infuriated Los Angeles.
The 27-year-old defensive tackle hasn’t made a huge impact in the preseason for Dallas. In the team’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, he produced one tackle and played 27 defensive snaps.
Overall, Huggins finished the preseason with six tackles and a pass deflection. The Cowboys will likely value cornerback depth after the injury to DaRon Bland, which means they can’t go heavy at certain positions.
Defensive tackle could be one of those spots as Dallas already has Osa Odighizuwa, Phillips, and a solid three-man rotation at nose tackle.
Could the Cowboys make an exception for Huggins, especially since they didn’t release him after what he did earlier this month? Yes, it's not out of the realm of possibility.
Huggins had 22 combined tackles, two quarterback hits, and a fumble recovery in 13 games (five starts) with the Atlanta Falcons last season. Tuesday should be an interesting day at the Cowboys’ facility as the 27-year-old could be one of the final cuts.
8. Tyrus Wheat
The second-year defensive end left it all on the field in the preseason finale against the Chargers. The 24-year-old Wheat recorded three tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and a QB hit.
The former Mississippi State defensive linemen finished the preseason with five tackles and a sack.
However, I don’t think it will be enough to keep Wheat on the 53-man roster as Al-Quain Muhammad played well on Saturday. The veteran defensive lineman posted three tackles, two tackles for loss, a QB hit, and a sack (33 defensive snaps).
The Cowboys brought in Muhammad earlier this month after Sam Williams went down with a season-ending knee injury. Wheat is the fourth defensive end and most teams don’t carry that many pass rushers on the 53-man roster.
The young pass rusher appeared in 12 games last season as a rookie after going undrafted following the 2023 NFL Draft.
Sweat didn’t make the 53-man roster last summer, but was put on the practice squad, where he would get called up in October. The former Mississippi State standout spent most of his time on special teams in 2023, playing 197 snaps.
If Wheat gets released by Tuesday, do not be surprised to see him back on Dallas’ practice squad. He’s familiar with the organization and has shown he can play special teams. If the Cowboys were to have another injury on the defensive line, Wheat would be next in line to get snaps.
9. Damien Wilson
Wilson played well in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Chargers, recording two tackles in 14 defensive snaps. However, there’s a possibility Dallas could keep Willie Harvey and Buddy Johnson on the 53-man roster, over the 31-year-old linebacker.
The Cowboys brought back Wilson in the offseason after signing him to the practice squad in January. Wilson was suspended by the NFL for four weeks last October and reinstated by the league in November.
Wilson was the perfect depth signing for Dallas, especially given the youth at the linebacker spot. However, with the emergence of Harvey and Johnson in training camp and the preseason, he might be one of the final cuts.
Johnson played well in the preseason finale as he was a game-wrecker in the first half. He had three total tackles and a pass deflection.
Nick Eatman of Cowboys.com highlighted that Johnson has the skills to play special teams and was held out for most of the second half.
Based on what they’ve done over the last three drafts, Dallas wants youth and athleticism at the linebacker position. Wilson likely won’t see much time if DeMarvion Overshown, Damone Clark, and Marist Liufau stay healthy and do their job.
However, if the Cowboys were to suffer an injury at linebacker during the regular season, Wilson could find his way back to Dallas.
10. Villami Fehoko Jr.
The 2023 fourth-round pick could be out of Dallas this summer after failing to impress the coaches in the preseason.
The former San Jose State defensive lineman played the second-most snaps on defense in the finale against the Chargers (38). However, Fehoko Jr. only had a tackle, pass deflection, and a QB hit.
The 24-year-old defensive end has had a disappointing preseason, which isn’t good as he didn’t play his rookie season.
The Cowboys hoped Fehoko’s skills and production from San Jose St. (43 tackles for loss and 22 sacks) would transfer over to the pros, but sadly it hasn’t. Dallas likely doesn’t want to cut a former fourth-round pick, so don’t be surprised if they try to trade Fehoko.
However, with the 6-foot-4 defensive end not doing much in the preseason, he won’t have many trade suitors. Therefore, with the Cowboys having an abundance of veteran talent on the d-line, they will likely cut him and potentially put him on the practice squad.
But that might be a stretch as Dallas could use the practice squad spot on another player on the roster or from another team who has shown more upside to start their career.
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