The Dallas Cowboys made a surprise roster move at QB on Monday by cutting backup Joe Milton, taking the risk he’ll be able to return to the practice squad. That move corresponded with the team also answering for their initial roster cutdown surprise of only keeping two running backs, adding a third with Emari Demercado.
While neither move shakes up the fact the Cowboys are still in position to have the same starting 11 on offense going into week one, their trade over the weekend for Broderick Jones
could, as the former Steelers right tackle will reportedly compete with Terence Steele for that starting job.
Dallas Cowboys release QB Joe Milton – RJ Ochoa, Blogging The Boys
Joe Milton provided an exciting preseason starting all three games, but still will be subject to waivers if he wants to be the primary backup in Dallas to Dak Prescott.
Again, Milton played extremely well over the course of the preseason. He led the NFC in third-down passing across the exhibition period at large. This isn’t anything to really write home about given that it was the preseason, but you get the point that Milton played well in the opportunities that he had.
Milton obviously made the Cowboys’ initial 53-man roster when it was released on Sunday, and it isn’t uncommon for players who do so to be cut after the fact. Maybe the Cowboys feel like he can clear waivers and specifically chose to execute this move now so that other teams already got their claims in and finalized things.
Cowboys add a familiar face for OC Klayton Adams only one day after setting initial 53-man roster – Mauricio Rodriguez, A to Z Sports
The Cowboys found more big-play potential at RB with a familiar face to OC Klayton Adams by signing Emari Demercado on Monday.
Demercado, 27, played for the Arizona Cardinals from 2023 to 2025, coinciding with Cowboys OC Klayton Adams for a couple of seasons. Back then, Adams coached the Cardinals offensive line and was known for being a part of a creative run game.
That includes Demercado’s most recent rushing touchdown, which happened in a 53-yard play in 2024.
Schottenheimer explains Jaydon Blue, RB decisions for Cowboys roster – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com
The Cowboys really, really, really like Malik Davis as the incumbent RB2 as well.
“I think this is more a testament to a guy like Malik Davis that has just, time in and time out, come back and proven his worth. And the way he’s wired, I know both Jaydon and Phil should and will reach out to Malik, because now they’re unfortunately in a situation like [what Davis has experienced several times in the past].
“But, if you want to learn from a veteran, Malik Davis would be the first call that I would make. The guy went from being on the street, not getting really hardly any looks, even workouts, and he’s back in Oxnard, and now he’s solidified himself as a very, very valuable member of our football team.”
Of course this happened.
Broderick Jones will compete for the Cowboys’ right tackle job – Josh Alper, Pro Football Talk
The Cowboys have been very serious about creating competition for both of their starting tackles this offseason, with their new addition Broderick Jones looking to push Terence Steele on the right side.
Jones played both left and right tackle during his time with the Steelers, but Schottenheimer said he will be playing on the right side in Dallas. Schottenheimer said he called Terence Steele to tell him about the impending competition after the Cowboys finalized the trade for Jones.
“As you can imagine, Terrence Steele was the ultimate pro,” Schottenheimer said, via the team’s website.
Why Broderick Jones Could Work for the 26′ Cowboys? – Cody Warren, Inside The Star
Jones comes with experience at both left and right tackle, and the Cowboys will be hoping their coaching makes a difference for a former Steelers draft pick for the second year in a row.
The Dallas Cowboys have two offensive line gurus in Klayton Adams and Conor Riley.
Adams, in particular, has already worked with another young, athletic first-round tackle from the 2023 draft.
Paris Johnson Jr. played right tackle as a rookie in Arizona before being moved to left tackle. His PFF grade jumped from 60.1 in his first year to 80.8 in year 2. I don’t know if Broderick Jones can make that kind of jump, but we have the coaches to help.
Cowboys’ injured OLB, rookie CB to miss at least first 4 games of regular season – Todd Brock, The Cowboys Wire
Devin Moore and Marist Liufau were both bubble players to make the roster anyway, but due to their injuries the Cowboys are able to stash them for now.
The Cowboys placed both players on injured return with “Designated to Return” status as part of Sunday’s cutdown. The move allowed Dallas to fill their spots on the initial 53-man roster yet gives both players an easy path back once they recover from their injuries. They are required to sit out, though, a minimum of four games.
And when they are ready to come back, the club will have to make room on the roster by cutting or moving two other players.
Daily discussion question: What do you make of the Cowboys’ running back room?
