The Dallas Cowboys lost one of their tight ends to injury this week. To try and replace him, the team is turning to fourth-year tight end Zach Kuntz.
According to the NFL’s transaction wire, the Cowboys claimed Kuntz off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday. The Raiders waived Kuntz the previous day to sign fellow tight end Chris Myarick.
Kuntz began his career as the No. 220 overall selection during the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft for the New York Jets. Over two seasons with the Jets, he appeared in two games.
Kuntz spent last year’s training camp with the Jets, but he didn’t make the final roster. His next NFL opportunity came with the Miami Dolphins after the 2025 regular season.
The tight end has spent time with the Dolphins and Raiders this offseason.
Cowboys Claim TE Zack Kuntz Off Waivers
GettyThe Dallas Cowboys claimed tight end Zack Kuntz off waivers.
Kuntz is entering his fourth NFL season after five collegiate campaigns. He started college at Penn State, but he had just three catches in 21 games over three seasons.
After the 2020 campaign, Kuntz transferred to Old Dominion. In 2021, he had 73 catches, 692 yards and five touchdowns.
Kuntz finished his college career with 88 receptions, 836 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 39 contests.
In two games with the Jets, Kuntz didn’t have a catch. As a rookie, he played two offensive snaps and four on special teams in one game during 2023. He then lined up for one snap on offense and six on special teams during a single contest in 2024.
During January, Kuntz signed a contract with the DC Defenders of the UFL. He finally got another NFL opportunity, though, with a futures contract with the Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins waived Kuntz on May 4. He spent six days with the Raiders from July 31 to August 5.
With those short stints in mind, Kuntz is a long shot to stay with the Cowboys past August 30. On that date, all NFL teams must cut their rosters to 53 players.
It will be an accomplishment for Kuntz to get to the first preseason game. For the Cowboys, that will occur on Saturday, August 15.
If Kuntz can last with the team until that date, then he could get a crack at putting something on tape for the Cowboys and the rest of the league.
Cowboys TE Depth at NFL Training Camp
GettyJake Ferguson will return for the Dallas Cowboys to be the team’s starting tight end.
With the addition of Kuntz, the Cowboys have six tight ends on their training camp roster. Incumbent starter Jake Ferguson leads the group, as he is coming off his second Pro Bowl appearance in 2025. Last season, he had 82 catches, 600 yards and eight touchdowns.
During 2023, he registered 71 receptions, 761 yards and five scores. According to pundits, Ferguson has also put together a strong start to training camp.
That’s great news for Cowboys but not so much for Dallas’ other tight ends. Ferguson played 66% of the team’s offensive snaps at tight end in 2025 and has the potential for more this fall.
Michael Trigg, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker and DJ Rogers are the other tight ends on Dallas’ roster.
Cowboys Claim Recently-Released Raiders TE Off Waivers