Dallas Cowboys Roster Cuts Tracker: Cowboys Cut WR Andy Jones and OG Jake Brendel

Derek Akunne and Ryan Russell were released yesterday, and were the first two of 20 players the Cowboys need to cut to get down to the league-mandated 53-man roster.

Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reports that WR Andy Jones has also been cut.

Cowboys have released WR Andy Jones, who had a fast start in training camp, but would like to bring him back to practice squad, source said.

— Brandon George (@DMN_George) September 3, 2016

Jones had started the preseason as a strong candidate for a roster spot at wide receiver, but the Cowboys have apparently decided that he won't be one of the five or six wide receivers they'll have on their roster.

Jones received the largest signing bonus of $15,000, the largest sum the Cowboys paid out to any of their 14 UDFAs they signed immediately after the draft.

Jones had 144 receptions for 2,120 yards and 17 touchdowns in his college career. He raised eyebrows with a 41.5 vertical jump and 11-foot, 1-inch broad jump. Despite those numbers and early praise in camp, Jones struggled with his performance in the preseason games, and will now likely get a chance on the practice squad to work his way onto the roster at a later point.

All NFL teams have a few more hours to reach their 53-man roster by 4:00 PM EST. The Dallas Cowboys are no exception. We'll be tracking their cuts as we receive them and posting them here.

[UPDATE]

Jake Brendel, a promising OG/C, has been cut, but he likely has a future on the practice squad.

Cowboys released OL Jake Brendel, as expected, but would like him back on their practice squad.

— Brandon George (@DMN_George) September 3, 2016

And from Todd Archer come the rest of the cuts:

Cowboys moves:

DE Demarcus Lawrence (reserve/suspended)
RB Darren McFadden (reserve/non-football injury)
DT Rodney Coe
S Isaiah Frey
TE Rico Gathers
LB Brandon Hepburn
QB Jerrod Johnson
LB Deon King
OT Ryan Mack
WR Vince Mayle
DE Mike McAdoo
DT Lawrence Okoye
CB Deji Olatoye
OG Boston Stiverson
WR Devin Street
TE Austin Traylor
P Matt Wile
OT Bryan Witzmann