On Sunday afternoon, the Dallas Cowboys cut their roster down from 91 players to 53, per league mandate, as they finalize their preparations for the 2026 season. However, the moves don’t stop there.
As all 32 teams make cuts, front offices and personnel groups around the league scavenge the newly available pool of players for potential additions. The thing is, if you add a player, one has to be cut from the 53-man group you just created.
Some teams add one or two players, some add none. If you’re the talent-depleted Miami Dolphins, you add seven players. For the Cowboys, they added one player after the initial roster was released: running back Emari Demercado. As a corresponding move, the team shockingly waived quarterback Joe Milton III.
This is the 53-man roster for the Cowboys after the waiver wire dust has settled:
Quarterbacks – Dak Prescott, Sam HowellRunning backs – Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, Emari Demercado, Hunter LuepkeWide receivers – George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Camden BrownTight ends – Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke SchoonmakerOffensive linemen – Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Broderick Jones, Drew Shelton, Ajani CorneliusDefensive tackles – Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, L.T. Overton, Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan BullardOutside linebackers – Donovan Ezeiruaku, Rashan Gary, Malachi Lawrence, Von Miller, James Houston, Tyrus WheatInside linebackers – DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, Shemar JamesCornerbacks – DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, Caleb Downs, Shavon Revel Jr., Ameer Speed, Caelen CarsonSafeties – Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell, Alijah ClarkSpecialists – Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
Another part of the busiest period of roster moves on the NFL calendar is building a 16-player practice squad (or 17 if one player qualifies for the International Pathway Program exemption).
While the Cowboys still have one spot open, here is the practice squad after Tuesday’s moves:
RB Israel AbanikandaLB Justin BarronDT Tommy DunnWR Jordan HudsonOT Marcellus JohnsonDB Derion KendrickWR Anthony SmithTE Michael TriggLB Isaiah LandC Nick LeverettDT Adedayo Odeleye (IPP exemption)LB Curtis RobinsonDB Reddy StewardOT Wanya MorrisDT Elijah GarciaTE Mitch Van Vooren
Milton cleared waivers on Tuesday afternoon, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that the team wants him back on the practice squad, but he could have other practice squad offers. If he chooses Dallas, the practice squad will be filled.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has experience working on the beat for DallasCowboys.com and previous work experience at Yahoo Sports/Rivals and 247Sports.