There will be one fewer veteran receiver in the Cowboys’ training camp this year. Parris Campbell, a former second-round pick by the Colts in 2019, is calling it a career at just 28 years old. He had signed a futures deal to return to Dallas last January.
It’s almost strange to call Campbell a “Cowboys WR” as it feels like he never actually played for us. He did briefly appear in last year’s loss to the Panthers, getting just two snaps on offense and a few more on special teams. But after spending
most of 2025 on the practice following a knee injury in August, Campbell appears to be done with fighting with health issues.
Campbell’s battle began in his rookie season with Indianapolis, when multiple unrelated injuries limited him to just seven games. He would then only play two in 2020 and six in 2021, but finally managed to give Indy a full season in 2023. Campbell played in all 17 games, starting all but one, and produced 623 catches and three touchdowns on 63 catches.
The Colts didn’t re-sign him as a free agent and Campbell didn’t find a good situation going forward. He played a reserve role for the Giants in 2023 and was on the Eagles’ practice squad in 2024, though he was activated for five games and some of the playoffs.
As for Campbell’s retirement, Dallas may have been anticipating it when they signed veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Tyler Johnson just after the draft. They will now join Jonathan Mingo as the experienced players vying for roster spots in this year’s camp, competing with prospects like Anthony Smith, Traeshon Holden, and Jordan Hudson.
