Cowboys Sign WR to Active Roster, Waive Linebacker

Cedrick Wilson

Getty Cedrick Wilson

Every NFL franchise has the token player who yo-yos between the 53-man roster, the practice squad, and the unemployment line.

Chris Covington is that player for the Dallas Cowboys.

The second-year linebacker was waived by the Cowboys on Saturday, the team announced, only four days after he was elevated from the taxi squad to active roster.

In a corresponding move, Dallas promoted wide receiver Cedrick Wilson from the practice team to the 53 in advance of Sunday’s road contest at Washington.

The Cowboys’ sixth-round draft pick in 2018, Covington was declared inactive for 11 games as a rookie, finishing with one tackle. He spent this past offseason with the organization, participating in training camp and the preseason before being waived at final cuts and re-signed to the practice squad.

With Covington gone, Dallas will move forward with Joe Thomas and Justin March-Lillard as the backups to starting LBs Sean Lee, Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith. The team will be without reserve ‘backer Luke Gifford, who was ruled out for the second straight week due to an ankle injury.

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Ced Wilson’s Role

If he’s active for Week 2, Wilson should work as the Cowboys’ No. 5 WR behind Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Randall Cobb and Devin Smith. He was promoted to take the spot of slot receiver/punt returner Tavon Austin, who remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Wilson, a two-year contributor at Boise State who nearly fell out of the draft, played in three preseason games for the Cowboys last month, totaling 122 yards on 11 receptions while contributing on the third side of the ball, special teams.

“Whenever they need me — whether it’s the fourth receiver, the sixth receiver – just trying to make that group of guys and put my all in on special teams,” he said in August, via the Cowboys’ official website. “That’s usually what the non-starting three guys have to do to be a big part of that.”


Taco Down (And Likely Out)

The waiting game continues for Taco Charlton. One day after posting a cryptic tweet relating to his tenuous future with the Cowboys, the third-year defensive end is not expected to play against the Redskins, according to team insider Mike Fisher of Maven Sports.

Charlton, deactivated for the season-opening victory over the Giants, will again be a healthy scratch as trade rumors regarding the 2017 first-round draft pick intensify. On Friday, Cowboys VP Stephen Jones admitted he’d contacted the Miami Dolphins, presumably about defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, leading some to speculate if Charlton could be part of a potential deal.

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Follow Zack Kelberman on Twitter: @KelbermanNFL