Cowboys Cut Vet Attempting NFL Comeback Just Days Into Camp

The Dallas Cowboys opened training camp this week at Oxnard, California, and have begun making multiple moves to the 90-man roster. Dallas bolstered its WR room by signing Deontay Burnett and Kelvin Harmon, who played in the UFL this season.

However, the Cowboys have already made a surprising release to start camp, which will shake up the depth chart in the secondary. The team announced on Sunday it had released veteran cornerback Gareon Conley.

But it appears that this parting of ways wasn't Dallas' primarily. Instead, the veteran defensive back is retiring, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.

Conley signed with the Cowboys in June after working out for the team after playing in the UFL with the DC Defenders in the spring. The former first-round pick last played in the NFL with the Houston Texans and formerly the Oakland Raiders in 2019.

On paper, the addition of Conley to the 90-man roster appeared to low-risk, high-reward move, given that he played well in the UFL with the Defenders. This season with DC, Conley recorded 25 total tackles and two interceptions.

After not playing in the NFL since 2019, the former first-round pick didn’t look like he missed a step, five years later playing spring football. 

That said, Conley gave everything to the game of football and the fact that he decided to return this year, is a testament to his work ethic and determination.

Conley faced an uphill climb to make Dallas' 53-man roster this summer, especially at the cornerback spot. However, there's something to be said for a guy, who struggled to find his footing in the league and dealt with injury, to continue to play at a high level.

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