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The Dallas Cowboys could benefit from considering the addition of a veteran player from the Buffalo Bills‘ practice squad.
The Cowboys “must pursue” free agent linebacker Christian Kirksey, according to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox.
“Adding Kirksey would be a great move for a Dallas defense that was inconsistent against the run in 2022,” Knox wrote in a story published September 4. “Rookie third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown was expected to contribute at the second level, but a preseason ACL tear will have him eyeing 2024 instead. Kirksey could help fill the void created by Overshown’s injury, and he should be available at a reasonable price.”
The 31-year-old veteran is a current member of the Bills’ practice squad following his surprising release from the Houston Texans at the conclusion of the preseason. In fact, Kirksey served as a team captain and ranked second on the Texans with 124 tackles in 2022.
Christian Kirksey Wants to Play for Winning Team
One of Kirksey’s desires is to play for a winning team, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR 550.
“I want to be part of a winning culture, so I’m hungry and ready to help out wherever I can,” Kirksey said, according to Hamilton’s story from September 1.
Despite playing in 112 games with 92 starts over the past nine seasons, Kirksey has played in just two playoffs game during his career, with both of those appearances coming as a member of the Green Bay Packers during the 2020 season. Kirksey has never played in a Super Bowl.
Christian Kirksey Could Play Smaller Role
Knox suggested that the Cowboys could sign Kirksey to a two-year, $8 million deal. Prior to his release from the Texans, Kirksey was playing under a two-year, $10 million deal with Houston. Kirksey previously played under a four-year, $38 million deal as a member of the Cleveland Browns back in 2017.
In other words, Kirksey wouldn’t take much of a pay reduction and he would play a smaller role while having the opportunity to play on a winning team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Although Kirksey is a member of the Bills’ practice squad, he can be signed by the Cowboys as long as he’s signed to the 53-man roster. He would also have to count towards the Cowboys’ 53-man roster for a minimum of three weeks, even if he’s released before then, as Bernd Buchmasser of SB Nation’s Pats Pulpit pointed out.
“If a practice squad player is signed by another team, he receives a guaranteed three-week salary and will count against the 53-man roster for at least three weeks — even if released before those three weeks are over,” writes Buchmasser.
Despite Kirksey’s lack of postseason experience, he’s one of the more proven linebackers in the NFL. Outside of his clear experience as a nine-year veteran, he has racked up three different 100-tackle campaigns, including a team-leading 148 tackles with the Browns during the 2016 season. As mentioned earlier, he has also served as a defensive captain, which would help make the job easier of current Cowboys veteran linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch.
Considering Dallas’ lack of depth at linebacker following Overshown’s injury, adding a player of Kirksey’s caliber could help in the long run.
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