Getty Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones
As the Dallas Cowboys come off their bye week, owner Jerry Jones is making roster changes. Dallas is 4-2 heading into Week 8 and has plenty of time and space to make moves before facing the Los Angeles Rams on October 29.
The latest roster moves were first reported by Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken, who also gave insight on what might be next for the Cowboys and head coach Mike McCarthy.
“Cowboys released OT Alex Taylor-Prioleau and LB Mikel Jones from the practice squad. No replacements added at this time, but activity appears certain in days ahead. Sixteen-man practice squad is currently at 12, and the Cowboys worked out several players last week,” Gehlken wrote on X on October 23.
Even though Jones and Taylor-Prioleau are just practice squad members, the move is a bit surprising because NFL teams typically keep their practice squads filled out. Dallas now has four empty spots, and how it will fill those spots is not clear.
“The expectation is that some or all spots get filled soon,” according to an October 23 story on the team’s website.
Jerry Jones Calls Out Dallas WR Michael Gallup
Though it seems unlikely that Cowboys starting wide receiver Michael Gallup would be a cut candidate, he was recently called out by name by Jerry Jones. The veteran WR’s production has been lackluster this year, as he continues to recover from an ACL tear.
Jones made the comments after the Week 6 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Gallup had only three catches for 24 yards on 10 targets, continuing his underperforming trend.
“I thought Gallup had a little problem in the game,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on October 17. “He’s evolving still, I think. I know he gets tired of hearing this, but trying to get on back from where he was because of his injury, but we had good games from our receivers [against the Chargers on October 16].”
It’s a difficult situation. On the one hand, Gallup suffered a major ACL injury. But Dallas needs their starting receivers to perform, and Gallup simply hasn’t done that consistently. Besides strong performances against the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, he has just 52 receiving yards over the Cowboys’ other four games.
Giants ‘Poached’ Cowboys PS Member
Part of the reason Dallas has open practice squad spots is due to the New York Giants. The Cowboys’ NFC East rival recently signed OL Sean Harlow, picking him up off the Dallas’ practice squad.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first to report the news on October 19. Due to the rules of signing practice squad players, Harlow joined the Giants’ active roster. That means that, as long as Harlow remains on the roster through November 12, the Cowboys will face off against him when New York comes to Arlington, Texas, in Week 10.
That being said, it may not happen. Harlow was a healthy scratch in the Giants’ Week 7 win over the Washington Commanders. Meanwhile, Dallas and Jerry Jones will continue their search for bodies and potential talents to fill up the practice squad.