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The Dallas Cowboys made the decision to release second-year receiver Lance Lenoir. For many fans, this comes as a surprise as he was having a great training camp and flashed some good plays in preseason action. He led all Cowboys receivers with receptions (12) and yards (91) and had one of the only three touchdown catches the team had all preseason. He also led all receivers in offensive snaps with 160 which is an indication the team was trying to give him every chance they could to make the team. Alas, it was not enough.
Lenoir was an undrafted free agent from Western Illinois who was released last season, but the team signed him to their practice squad. And with the flux of receivers the organization brought in this offseason, many weren’t counting on him to splash around with any real chance to make the team this season. But Lenoir changed minds quickly as an offseason filled with hard work was translating to on-field performance. Unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough for him to land a spot on the team.
Cowboys are releasing WR Lance Lenoir, who came close to making final roster & team would like back on practice squad
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) September 1, 2018
Lance Lenoir has had a tremendous camp, and has turned many heads with his play at WR during the last month.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) August 27, 2018
But two muffed punts, and one for a TD? No bueno.
Honestly, I don’t think the punt gaffes had much of an impact on the decision as he wasn’t likely to receive punt returning duties anyways. The team has Tavon Austin and Cole Beasley for that. In the end, it was a numbers game and the team just has too many other guys ahead of hinm.
The Cowboys still have a crowded receiving group with Allen Hurns, Cole Beasley, Terrance Williams, Michael Gallup, and Tavon Austin being the guys everyone expected to make the team. It’s really been a race from that point between Lenoir, Deonte Thompson, and Noah Brown for that last spots, although it’s never been clear how many receivers the team will keep. Brown has been hurt most of camp so he looks like a candidate for injured reserve. And although Thompson has been dealing with an injury himself, the organization appears to be optimistic about what he brings to the team.
Do you agree with the Cowboys decision to cut Lenoir?