As the Dallas Cowboys continue to revamp the team’s roster, the franchise was dealt a blow. Dallas was looking to bolster the team’s secondary with the franchise’s season opener against the New York Giants fast approaching on Sunday, September 13.
The Cowboys missed out on a claim for a former San Francisco 49ers cornerback. ESPN’s Field Yates reported that Dallas was among the teams who put in a claim for cornerback Darrell Luter following his release by the Niners.
The Las Vegas Raiders were awarded Luter given the team had waiver priority over the Cowboys.
“As it turns out, Darrell Luter had by far the most interested teams on the waiver wire yesterday: the Titans, Dolphins, Cowboys and Colts all attempted to claim him,” Yates noted in a September 1, message on X.
“The Raiders had priority. No other player waived over the weekend had more than 2 teams put a claim in.”
Let’s explore the latest Cowboys news and rumors.
Cowboys Announce Roster Moves Including the Addition of Ex-Chiefs RB Emari Demercado
Luter is entering the final season of a four-year, $4.1 million rookie contract. The cornerback played in 27 games over his three seasons with the 49ers prior to his release.
As for the Cowboys, the team made a series of signings for the practice squad less than 24 hours after finalizing the 53-man roster.
The Cowboys announced the signings of the following players to the practice squad: running back Israel Abanikanda, linebacker Justin Barron, defensive tackle Tommy Dunn, wide receiver Jordan Hudson, offensive tackle Marcellus Johnson, cornerback Derion Kendrick, wideout Anthony Smith, tight end Michael Trigg, linebacker Isaiah Land, center Nick Leverett, defensive tackle Adedayo Odeleye, linebacker Curtis Robinson, cornerback Reddy Steward, offensive tackle Wanya Morris and defensive tackle Elijah Garcia.
Dallas also claimed running back Emari Demercado following his release by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cowboys News: Dallas Surprisingly Cut Ties With QB Joe Milton
To make room for Demercado, the Cowboys surprisingly cut quarterback Joe Milton. The signal-caller initially made the final roster, but Milton was released one day later to make room for Demercado.
If Milton goes unclaimed, the signal-caller could re-sign with Dallas on the team’s practice squad.
“I’m chalking up the timing of the Joe Milton III release to roster/waiver strategy,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris noted in an August 31, message on X. “Release him on Sunday, much higher chance he gets claimed.
“Release him today, a lot of teams have their QB situations figured out, making it more likely he clears waivers. Just my take.”
Prior to Milton’s release, head coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated that the backup quarterback competition was still ongoing with Sam Howell.
“The competition’s not over,” Schottenheimer remarked on August 31, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota.
“We need to just continue to assess so many positions, but those guys have made it really, really hard on us, and it’s been an awesome competition, and we’re still piecing the puzzle together, and that’s where this thing is very fluid.”
The Cowboys are early 2.5-point favorites against the Giants in the Week 1 matchup, per DraftKings.
Cowboys Dealt Unfortunate News 12 Days Before Start of NFL Season vs. Giants