The Dallas Cowboys signed veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for additional receiver depth and a potential big-play threat this offseason. But he won’t begin the regular season on the team’s 53-man roster.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Sunday the Cowboys released Valdes-Scantling as part of their roster cuts. Every NFL team must trim their roster to 53 players by 6 pm ET Sunday.
“The Cowboys are releasing veteran WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, per sources,” wrote Schultz on X.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Valdes-Scantling was a significant big-play threat in his prime. He led the NFL with a 20.9 yards per reception average during the 2020 season with the Green Bay Packers.
With the Kansas City Chiefs, he made big plays downfield catching passes from Patrick Mahomes. Valdes-Scantling averaged 15.9 yards per catch in two seasons with the Chiefs.
The wideout also won two Super Bowls in Kansas City.
In eight NFL seasons, Valdes-Scantling has averaged 16.8 yards per catch. The 31-year-old reunited with quarterback Aaron Rodgers while playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers to end the 2025 campaign. Over five games in Pittsburgh, Valdes-Scantling had 10 catches for 80 yards.
Cowboys Release WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Report
Valdes-Scantling’s departure in Dallas isn’t all that surprising. He might also be a candidate to return on the team’s first practice squad.
The veteran receiver began last season on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. In five games with the 49ers, though, he had just four catches for 40 yards.
San Francisco placed Valdes-Scantling on injured reserve in the middle of October. The team released him shortly after that, and he signed with the Steelers less than two weeks later.
Overall, Valdes-Scantling had 14 catches, 120 receiving yards and a touchdown last season.
In 2024, the veteran wideout averaged 21.6 yards per catch while playing for the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints. He had 411 receiving yards on just 19 catches. Although last season he recorded just 8.6 yards per catch, Valdes-Scantling might be able to bounce back with big plays down field in Dallas’ potent offense.
But after Sunday, he will have to find his way back to the Cowboys somehow after his release if that’s going to happen.
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The Cowboys had a lethal 1-2 punch at receiver with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens last season. Each had more than 1,000 yards and combined for more than 2,500 yards through the air.
With both back, Dallas could have a top heavy wide receiver corps again. However, Ryan Flournoy and Kavontae Turpin are pretty solid WR3 and WR4 options to have behind the two stars.
Last season, Flournoy had 40 catches for 475 yards. While he only posted 11.9 yards per catch, Turpin averaged 15.2 yards per reception.
For Valdes-Scantling to make the Cowboys initial 53-man roster, he needed to have more special teams experience. The veteran receiver has played two special teams snaps this decade. That’s going to limit his value as a depth receiver to any team.
But as a member of the Cowboys practice squad, Dallas could still have Valdes-Scantling as an option to promote on game days if the team has any receiver injuries.
To sign the veteran to the practice squad, Valdes-Scantling will have to clear waivers. Teams will begin filling out their practice squads after the 53-man roster deadline at 5 pm CT Sunday.
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