When it comes to those who didn’t make the cut, there were no doubt a few surprises. Now that all of the dust has settled, here’s the biggest snubs from Dallas’ initial 53-man roster.<\/p>\n
CB Reddy Steward![\"Dallas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01m1a0mazqy9d7111qjg.jpg\" "\\"Dallas")
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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Reddy Steward (27) celebrates after sacking Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) in the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
While there wasn’t a very high bar to clear, Steward was among the most consistent defensive backs<\/a> for the Cowboys after joining the team last season.<\/p>\n He followed that up with a standout showing in camp this year, and he had a strong showing in the preseason, also, after posting eight tackles, one sack and two run stops while recording a completion rate allowed of 66.7% and a passer rating of 70.1.<\/p>\n While not a shocking snub, we believe that Steward should have made the roster over Ameer Speed. Now, it’ll be interesting to see if the Cowboys can get Steward back on the practice squad.<\/p>\n RB Jaydon Blue Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (23) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n This was easily the biggest surprise of the day<\/a>, as Blue looked to be primed to at least make the roster, even if he had fallen behind Malik Davis in the RB2 competition.<\/p>\n Blue showed growth in his second offseason in the NFL, and he was a regular standout in training camp and had a good enough preseason that it looked like he’d be on the 53, especially after Blue didn’t play in the preseason finale. <\/p>\n It sure seemed like head coach Brian Schottenheimer was pleased with his work, too.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he came back, and I\u2019ve said this before, I think he came back with a different mentality, which is great. He\u2019s always been extremely bright and picked up the scheme very, very well,\u201d Schotty said of Blue. \u201cIt\u2019s been good for us to see him take the next step in certain areas, whether it\u2019s pass protection, whether it\u2019s some of the stuff in the return game. But I noticed it early on that there was a little bit different intentionality about him. But he\u2019s got to continue to compete because that\u2019s a deep room as well. And we\u2019ll see how we figure out the rotation. But it was early on for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n We’d guess the Cowboys want Blue on the practice squad, but it’s also possible he’ll be looking for a change of scenery.<\/p>\n Sam Williams Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sam Williams (54) looks on before the game between the Cowboys and the Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n Williams was never a lock to make the roster, but we figured he was a good bet to make the cut if the Cowboys kept six outside linebackers, which they ended up doing.<\/p>\n Williams bolstered his case in the preseason when he posted a pair sacks, five pressures and six run stops, numbers that matched the guy who beat him out, Tyrus Wheat. Williams was also more productive than James Houston in exhibition play.<\/p>\n However, that wasn’t good enough for Williams, who amounts to one of the more surprising cuts.<\/p>\n Julius Wood Dallas Cowboys safety Julius Wood (32) reacts to a special teams play during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n The Cowboys kept five safeties, and despite Caleb Downs not being listed with them (he was listed with the cornerbacks instead), Wood wasn’t able to make the roster.<\/p>\n Wood was routinely showing out during training camp and in the preseason, with the defensive back posting 11 tackles, six run stops and Pro Football Focus<\/a> grades of 78.8 in tackling, 81.4 in run defense and 65.1 in coverage.<\/p>\n We thought that if one of Wood or Alijah Clark would be kept, Wood would be the one. Instead, it was Clark.<\/p>\n \u2014\u00a0Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter\u00a0<\/a>for more free coverage from\u00a0Dallas Cowboys on SI<\/a>\u00a0\u2014<\/p>\n![\"Dallas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01m1a53x4s2yfdt06w2b.jpg\" "\\"Dallas")
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