Cowboys roster moves: Another Cowboys player gets moved to COVID list, two players return to roster

There is normally some roster movement after the initial 53-man roster is set. The Dallas Cowboys have certainly done their fair share of moving players around, but they are now being hit with more COVID issues. It was already reported earlier today that starting guard Zack Martin tested positive for COVID and has been ruled out of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday of this week. Martin was fully vaccinated but started experiencing mild flu-like symptoms on Saturday morning.

The team also had to move reserve guard Brandon Knight to the COVID list. He has not tested positive but is considered a risk because of close contact. He may be able to come off the list before the game Thursday. With Connor McGovern having to step in for Martin on Thursday, the team could really use Knight as a reserve in the game.

The Cowboys did add some players to the roster on Sunday. As expected, the team re-signed punter Bryan Anger who had been let go in a strictly procedural move. And Connor Williams was activated off the COVID list which is great news considering the issues at guard mentioned above.

Here is the complete COVID rundown:

Martin and Knight push the total to nine Cowboys players to join Reserve/COVID-19 in a 16-day period. Six of those nine were the result of positive tests: wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, defensive tackle Carlos Watkins, safety Damontae Kazee, left guard Connor Williams, wide receiver Noah Brown and Martin. All but Brown and Martin have since been activated.

Safety Malik Hooker, safety Israel Mukuamu and Knight were considered close contacts. None were fully vaccinated at the time of Reserve/COVID-19 placement, although all had at least one vaccination shot at the time.

Watkins and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn were the first to test positive, being sent home on Sept. 21 shortly before a preseason game against the Houston Texans. Both were fully vaccinated.