The Dallas Cowboys are bringing in extra depth at the tight end position following a rash of injuries to close out the preseason.
“The Cowboys are adding TE Mitch Van Vooren to the roster and have waived DT Kelvin Gilliam,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote on his official X account on Monday. “A much needed addition with Michael Trigg, D.J. Rogers injured at the moment.”
“The Cowboys have signed TE Mitch Van Vooren for the final week of camp after playing with just two healthy tight ends in Arizona,” The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris wrote on his official X account on Monday. “Van Vooren is a former track star at Marquette who played football at D3 St. Norbert. Has had previous stints with the Patriots, Browns & Seahawks.”
“After Brian Schottenheimer said in his press conference that the he’d expect to add a tight end, the Cowboys have signed TE Mitchell Van Vooren,” Cowboys.com’s Tommy Yarish wrote on his official X account.
From Track Star to NCAA Division III to NFL
Van Vooren’s lone scholarship offer coming out of Peshtigo (Wisconsin) High School was to run track at Marquette, where he set program records in the 400-meter hurdles before returning to football at NCAA Division III St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.
Back in football after 4 seasons of running track, including earning All-Big East honors as a senior in 2023, Van Vooren took to being on the gridiron quickly.
In 2 seasons at St. Norbert — enrollment 2,036 — Van Vooren was a 2-time All-NACC selection, with 32 receptions for 535 yards and 3 touchdowns in 11 games in 2023 followed by 65 receptions for 1,045 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024.
Cowboys Van Vooren’s 4th Team in 2 Seasons
The Cowboys are Van Vooren’s 4th team in 2 seasons after spending 2025 with the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns. He signed with the New England Patriots on July 22 but was released on August 18.
“A lot of people take the traditional route and play big-time football for four or five years,” Van Vooren told We Are Green Bay’s Breanna Reinhart. “My journey is different, but sometimes the long way around is the best one for you. I wouldn’t change it.”
Cowboys Sign 6-foot-5, 245-Pound Ex-Patriots Tight End