A familiar face is returning to Dallas for the 2026 season.
Defensive end Tyrus Wheat is expected to sign with the Cowboys as a free agent. After spending the 2025 season in Detroit, Wheat will look to play a key role in Christian Parker’s defensive scheme in Dallas.
Here are five things to know about Wheat:
1. The basics
Cowboys
Position: Defensive end
Birthday: Dec. 8, 1999 (26 years old)
College: Mississippi State
Height: 6-2 Weight: 263 pounds
2. A look at his Detroit stint
Wheat has spent most of his professional career with the Cowboys. He landed in Detroit ahead of the 2025 season shortly after he was waived by Dallas.
The defensive end appeared in 15 games for the Lions last season, posting 15 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
3. He made it to the NFL as an undrafted player
Wheat originally landed in Dallas as an undrafted player in 2023. He had a productive career at Mississippi State, posting 129 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, nine pass deflections and three interceptions from 2020-22.
He made it to Dallas’ practice squad ahead of the 2023 season, then was promoted to the active roster in October of the 2023 campaign.
4. He had some impressive offers after starting his collegiate career at a JUCO
Before he played at Mississippi State, Wheat spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Mississippi. He became one of the country’s top inside linebacker recruits at the JUCO level.
Wheat held transfer offers from several Power Five programs, including South Carolina, Baylor, Arkansas and Auburn.
5. Career NFL stats
Wheat has appeared in 35 games throughout his NFL career. He has posted 32 total tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and one pass deflection.
He last played for the Cowboys in 2024.
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