5 Cowboys on Thin Ice Despite Surviving Roster Cuts

5. Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE

As the Cowboys released defensive linemen like Viliami Fehoko and Durrell Johnson, Al-Quadin Muhammad managed to slip through the cracks. The 29-year-old pass rusher signed with the Cowboys at the beginning of the month after failing to garner attention earlier this offseason.

Muhammad was a decent presence on Dallas' defensive line this preseason. Playing a total of 97 downs across three appearances, the ex-Miami Hurricane registered eight pressures, two solo tackles, and three run stops. His efforts saw PFF give him an overall defense grade of 78.5.

But as solid as Muhammad was this once, there are some concerns going forward. For starters, he's still suspended for Week 1 after violating the league's Performance-Enhancing Drug policy last season. Even if it's his first offense, the fact that he was also suspended in college suggests that he might have off-field issues.

Secondly, Muhammad hasn't even played a regular-season game since 2022, having spent the entirety of last year on the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad. Even then, it's worth noting that he only played to a career-worst 53.9 defense grade when he spent 16 games with the Chicago Bears two years ago.

If Muhammad shows up in Week 2 and looks out of place, his spot in the Cowboys' lineup could be in jeopardy. Dallas only needs players who are ready to help end the Super Bowl drought. If Muhammad isn't ready to be a part of the solution, he can step aside and let someone else step up.

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