The Dallas Cowboys are proceeding through their preseason schedule rather nicely, as the team has won its first two exhibitions for the first time since 2007, and has done so in convincing fashion–the combined score of the two games has been 51-20, with wins coming over Seattle and longtime nuisance Arizona. While things have been going swimmingly as the Cowboys return to The Star after three weeks on the West Coast, one player who had been a frequent standout at this time of year is a free agent looking for a job: ex-Cowboys favorite Deuce Vaughn.
Among Cowboys fans, Vaughn became a popular figure because of his diminutive size (he is 5-foot-6), impressive preseason performances, and the emotion he and his father–Cowboys scout Chris Vaughn–showed when Deuce Vaughn was drafted in the sixth round from Kansas State in 2023.
But the Cowboys waived him last season after training camp. Vaughn had played in 14 games, gaining 110 yards on 40 carries, in two seasons. He was picked up by the Broncos for their practice squad but was later released.
Deuce Vaughn Working Out for Texans
Now, the former Cowboys reserve is getting another chance. As Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News wrote on Twitter/X: “Former Cowboys RB Deuce Vaughn had a tryout with the Houston Texans today. So did former Arkansas and Highland Park CB Hudson Clark.”
(UPDATE: The Texans did sign Deuce Vaughn to a contract.)
Certainly, Vaughn would like to be on a roster sooner rather than later. It was a little more than three years ago this week that Vaughn first electrified Dallas fans. As Pro Football Talk noted at the time, “Vaughn had eight carries for 50 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown run, against the Jaguars. He showed off a spin move and his explosiveness in instantly becoming a fan favorite.”
Vaughn commented on his debut, telling reporters when asked what his big numbers showed: “Just that I belong. That’s the biggest thing for myself – coming in and proving the people that believe in me right. It doesn’t stop now. We go back to work on Monday, and we’re getting ready for the next preseason game.”
Cowboys Backfield Still Being Sorted
Of course, Vaughn did not last in the Cowboys’ backfield, as the team has shuffled through backs in recent years before finally committing to Javonte Williams. The Cowboys replaced Vaughn’s gadget-play speed with receiver/returner KaVontae Turpin, though he was used in only limited spurts last season.
The Cowboys are currently in the midst of sorting out the roster, including at running back. Williams is the starter, with veteran former UDFA Malik Davis, 2025 fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue and 2025 seventh-round pick Phil Mafah still in the RB2 mix.
Deuce Vaughn Got Call From His Cowboys Scout Father
Back in April 2023, on the third day of the NFL draft, Chris and Deuce Vaughn were one of the more heart-warming stories around the league. When it came time for the Cowboys to make their sixth-round pick, the team allowed Chris to make the call to his son. He choked up as he said, “Hey buddy, you want to come to work with me next week?”
It was a heart-warming moment. And, at the subsequent Cowboys minicamp, Deuce said he did, in fact, go to work with dad.
“We actually rode up here together today,” Deuce Vaughn said. “He dropped me off at the hotel. As I get acclimated to stuff, he’ll be up here to help me with whatever I need. It’s pretty cool.”
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