Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster cuts: Who’s in and who’s still a question

The Cowboys are back in Texas after 31 days of training camp in Oxnard and finished the last of their three preseason games with a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. That game was the one to determine the future of several Cowboys players, and for many, it did. But several questions still remain as the Cowboys prepare to make roster cuts by end of day on Tuesday. All teams must have their rosters cut down from 90 to 53 by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. There will still be changes from there, as all the other 31 teams will have released 37 players of their own and when they clear waivers, they’ll be on the market.

Here’s where things stand for the Cowboys heading into roster cut day tomorrow.

Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster: who won and who lost the battles, and who’s still a question

Quarterback - Trey Lance stays at third string

There was a battle to be had between the Cowboys’ trusted veteran QB2 Cooper Rush and the younger Trey Lance. Lance finally had an opportunity to play with the Cowboys this preseason, and while he had some shiny moments, his five-interception game on Saturday (of which he played every snap) pretty much sealed him as the QB3.

Running Back - Top three decided - Vaughn vs Freeman still undetermined

The Cowboys rested Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and fullback Hunter Luepke, ensuring they plan to start them for the Cowboys’ preseason opener on Sunday, September 8. After those three, the RB4 position seems likely to go to either Royce Freeman or Deuce Vaughn.

Wide Receiver - How many will the Cowboys keep?

The Cowboys have finally come to a deal with their top receiver CeeDee Lamb, so we can sleep peacefully now knowing he’ll be there for the start of the regular season. After him, Brandin Cooks has the WR2 spot and Jalen Tolbert, who sat out all of the preseason games, has locked the WR3 spot. KaVontae Turpin will be on the team thanks to his special teams contributions, so there’s your WR4. After that, it depends if the Cowboys keep six receivers on the roster, which I expect they will. In that case, it’s Jalen Brooks and Ryan Flournoy who get the spots, especially after Flournoy’s two touchdown receptions in the preseason.

Tight End - tough decisions to be made

Jake Ferguson remains the easy TE1, having sat out all of the preseason. Luke Schoonmaker has looked good throughout training camp and preseason and appears to be the TE2. Behind them though, things are still up in the air. With five other players on the current roster, tough decisions must be made here. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones mentioned that some of the tight ends could play fullback, so potentially they could have a TE at that position instead of Luepke.

Peyton Hendershot, John Stephens Jr., Brevyn Spann-Ford, Princeton Fant, and Alec Holler are those competing for the spot. Stephens led the TEs in the preseason finale with three catches and a team-high 40 yards, but had one costly fumble. Hendershot had just 10 yards on one reception, and though Spann-Ford, Fant, and Holler played okay in the preseason, they all look like they need more practice.

Offensive Line - Rookies Guyton and Beebe will start

Neither rookie Tyler Guyton nor rookie Cooper Beebe suited up against the Chargers on Saturday as the Cowboys aren’t taking any risks of them getting injured before the opener. As soon as Chuma Edoga injured his toe, Guyton became the starting left tackle to start the season, and Cooper Beebe easily won the case as starting center over veteran Brock Hoffman. Matt Waletzko is likely to be the backup tackle, as Asim Richards and Josh Ball are better suited at the guard position.

Defensive Line - Cowboys add veterans for depth at pass rush

Since losing Sam Williams to a season-ending injury, the Cowboys have added three veterans to the defensive line - Jordan Phillips, Carl Lawson, and Linval Joseph. Joseph isn’t technically on the roster yet, but has agreed to terms with Dallas. If they all three make it on the roster, it could mean younger players Viliami Fehoko and Tyrus Wheat getting cut. Last year’s first-round draft pick Mazi Smith will be the starting nose tackle despite the Phillips signing, as he did not suit up on Saturday.

Defensive Backfield - DaRon Bland’s injury causing even more questions

The news that All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland will miss six to eight weeks with a foot injury is not at all what the Cowboys needed. This may be the biggest question now for Dallas. Trevon Diggs is no doubt an elite player, but he’s just returning from an ACL injury after sitting out for almost an entire year. The Cowboys’ fifth-round pick Caelen Carson played well in training camp and didn’t suit up for Saturday’s game, so it’s looking like the rookie will start for the regular season opener. After him, things get muggy. The Cowboys traded to get Andrew Booth, who’s been up and down in the preseason. Then there’s Josh Butler, Eric Scott, Kemon Hall, and Josh DeBerry. Hall is the only one who’s played in a regular season game, but played 16 out of his 18 games in 2021. Of course, there is always the option of trading again once waivers have cleared.

Linebacker - Who will take the fifth/sixth spot(s)?

Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown, and Marist Liufau all look to be solid locks at linebacker. Damien Wilson and Wllie Harvey have potential to make the cut with their special teams abilities, but it’s not a guarantee.

Special Teams - No questions

Special teams are a lock, with kicker Brandon Aubrey having proven he’s just going to expand on the amazing season and no other competitions here.