Cowboys Make Big Cut at Tight End on Roster Deadline Day

The Dallas Cowboys and the other 31 NFL teams are working on cutting down their training camp rosters from 90 to 53 players ahead of Tuesday’s 4 pm ET deadline.

The Cowboys got a jumpstart on Monday, releasing several players from the 90-man roster, including Viliami Fehoko, who was taken in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Most Dallas fans weren’t shocked to see Fehoko cut as he missed his entire rookie season and didn’t make an impact in the preseason.

However, Fehoko isn’t the only surprise cut by the Cowboys as a former UDFA will not be on the team’s 53-man roster when Week 1 kicks off on Sept. 8. 

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Cowboys are waiving third-year tight end Peyton Hendershot. Hendershot has played in 25 games over two seasons with Dallas and missed a good portion of training camp with a shoulder injury.

Hendershot made his preseason debut in the finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, but only managed one reception for 10 yards and played 20 offensive snaps.

The former Indiana tight end had his 2023 season cut short due to an ankle injury, which forced him to get offseason surgery. Hendershot recorded four receptions (seven targets) for 38 yards in eight games, which is a stark contrast from his rookie season in 2022.

During his rookie season, Hendershot produced 11 receptions (16 targets) for 103 yards and two touchdowns. 

Nonetheless, it was going to be a tough uphill climb for Hendershot to make the team due to his injuries and the emergence of John Stephens Jr. and Brevyn Spann-Ford in training camp. That said, if the 25-year-old Hendershot can show that he can stay healthy, he’ll get another chance to be on another team's 53-man roster or practice squad.

More Cowboys news and analysis: