The Dallas Cowboys completed their mandated cutdown to 53 players yesterday, and today will go about establishing their practice squad for the 2018 season, plus they will likely make several changes to their 53-man roster. We may have trades, waiver wire claims and several Cowboys could potentially end up on the IR list.
On the practice squad, hey will be adding up to ten players that will serve as a scout team for the regular season and serve as depth in case of injury. The Cowboys had plenty of players they waived yesterday that they should be interested in retaining on the practice squad. Players like DE Charles Tapper, RBs Darius Jackson and Bo Scarbrough, WR Lance Lenoir, CB Donovan Olumba, and perhaps even offensive lineman Jacob Ohnesorge. But the Cowboys could just as likely look beyond their own players as they build their practice squad.
We’ll follow signings, rumors and other stories as they happen in this space. Here are the players known to join the Cowboys practice squad.
- RB Darius Jackson
- WR Lance Lenoir
- DE Charles Tapper
- CB Donovan Olumba
- WR Dres Anderson
- OT Jake Campos
- RB Jordan Chunn
- LB Kyle Queiro
CUTS, WAIVER CLAIMS, PRACTICE SQUAD NEWS, UPDATES
UPDATE: Sept 2nd, 3:47 PM ET: The Cowboys announce their first eight signings to he practice squad.
Some of the players were expected, but some of them are surprises.
DE Charles Tapper - He’s finally healthy, but the numbers crunch at defensive end knocked him down to the practice squad. Still, his career with the Cowboys continues on.
RB Darius Jackson - A fan-favorite, D-Jax makes his return to Dallas after he was released a few years ago to make room for Darren McFadden. Jackson out-played Bo Scarbrough in preseason to get the call for the practice squad.
RB Jordan Chunn - This is one is a surprise. Most thought that if another running back was on the practice squad it would be Bo Scarbrough, but Chunn sneaks in. He showed some skill in the final game against Houston.
WR Lance Lenoir - He made a serious push to make the 53-man roster, but has to settle for another round on the practice squad. You’d have to think he’s first in line if the Cowboys need a call-up at receiver this year.
Check out our article update for more details.
The Cowboys have signed these players to their practice squad:
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) September 2, 2018
WR Dres Anderson, OT Jake Campos, RB Jordan Chunn, RB Darius Jackson, WR Lance Lenoir, CB Donovan Olumba, LB Kyle Queiro and DE Charles Tapper.
Two spots remain #cowboyswire
UPDATE Sept 2nd 3:08 PM ET: Donovan Olumba makes it to the practice squad, making him the first of what will eventually be 10 players on the practice squad.
Donovan Olumba is heading to the Cowboys practice squad after clearing waivers.
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) September 2, 2018
UPDATE Sept 2nd 2:56 PM ET: Cowboys release OG Kadeem Edwards and DT Brian Price to make room for their waiver claims.
Edwards was a fifth-round pick of the Bucs way back in 2014. He bounced around until landing with the Cowboys practice squad in 2016. He was used extensively in preseason as a guard because of Zack Martin being out with his knee injury and Joe Looney having to step in for Travis Frederick.
Brian Price was acquired after being let go by Green Bay prior to the 2017 season and actually saw some time before going to IR with injury. Price was battling for a depth spot at defensive tackle but with the Cowboys improved defensive line situation, he’s been squeezed out.
To make room for safety Ibraheim Campbell and center Adam Redmond, who were claimed off waivers Sunday, the Cowboys released guard Kadeem Edwards and defensive tackle Brian Price. https://t.co/MrgxLr4lNb
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 2, 2018
UPDATE Sept 2nd 2:26 PM ET: Only 39 players were claimed off waivers by all 32 NFL teams, per Rob Phillips of DallasCowboys.com
Context.
Of the 39 waiver claims made across the league today, the Giants had the most (6) followed by Cleveland (5). Obviously helps to be high in the waiver order. Tougher sledding for teams like Dallas trying to upgrade this way. #cowboyswire
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) September 2, 2018
UPDATE Sept 2nd 2:22 PM ET: Despite concerns by the Cowboys fans base, not a single player waived by the Cowboys was claimed by another team.
That leaves the Cowboys free to sign back to the practice squad some of the players they waived.
None of the players the Cowboys cut Saturday were claimed off waivers on Sunday. Only 39 players were claimed across the league.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 2, 2018
UPDATE Sept 2nd 1:29 PM ET: Cowboys claim DB Obraheim Campbell and OC Adam Redmond off waivers.
Campbell was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of 2015. He played two seasons with the Browns, making nine total starts for them. He was waived and placed on injured reserve late in the season of 2016. Last year, Campbell was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.
Adam Redmond was an undrafted free agent signed by the Indianapolis Colts in 2016. He didn’t make the cut his rookie season and was signed to their practice squad. Last season, he was signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad.
Check out our article on the waiver claims for more details.
Cowboys claim defensive back Ibraheim Campbell and center Adam Redmond on waivers.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 2, 2018
What is the practice squad?
Each team is allowed one group of players who do not count against the 53-man roster. The practice squad is used, typically, to develop a younger player, while also giving the team a group of players who are used to replicate the offense or defense of the upcoming opponent.
How big is the practice squad?
Each team is allowed to carry 10 players on the practice squad throughout the season.
Eligibility
The standard eligibility for a player to be added to the practice squad is he is a free agent and has less than two years of NFL service. A player can only be on a practice squad for three seasons total in his career (six weeks on a practice squad in a season counts as a season for these purposes).
The league does allow for exceptions to the less than two-year rule. Teams may keep up to four players on their practice squad who have accrued two seasons of NFL experience, which allows a fringe player the chance to stay with the team, even if he already has been in the league, while also allowing the teams to keep more veteran players.
Accrued seasons are earned by being on the active (53-man) roster for a team for six games in a single regular season.
Salary
Practice squad players receive a weekly salary, though there are no guarantees so they can be cut at any time. The practice squad minimum salary is $7,600 a week. Teams can choose to pay a practice squad player more, which teams will do when they like a player and are trying to keep him with the squad. Otherwise, he could be poached by another team.
What is poaching?
The NFL allows a practice squad player to be signed by another team, but only if they are going to put him on their 53-man roster. When this happens, the player is given a guaranteed three-week salary, even if a team decides to release him before those three weeks are up.
What if a team promotes their own practice squad player?
A team can choose to sign their own practice squad player to the 53-man roster as well. Often, a team will use the practice squad to keep depth in case of injuries, so they will call up players if an injury occurs. Teams will also call a player up to the 53-man roster if they feel another team is trying to poach a player the original teams wants to keep.
When can teams start signing practice squad players?
When it comes to the final round of roster cuts - which happened on Saturday - teams can start signing an hour after the waiver period ends. That means teams can start signing players to the practice squad as of 1 pm ET Sunday.
Any notable players who started their career on the Cowboys practice squad?
Here are some recent examples:
2007: CB/S Alan Ball
2008: WR Danny Amendola
2010: OT Jermey Parnell (though he was signed from New Orleans’ practice squad)
2011: WR Andre Holmes
2012: RB Lance Dunbar, OG Ronald Leary, FB Jamize Olawale
2016: TE Rico Gathers
2017: TE Blake Jarwin