Third-year outside linebacker Marist Liufau and rookie cornerback Devin Moore survived the Cowboys' roster cuts to close out the month of August, but don't expect to see either of them in uniform and on the field for the team until mid-October.
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.
Liufau fractured his left forearm in Friday's preseason
finale loss to New Orleans and will undergo surgery. Moving into an OLB slot this year in coordinator Christian Parker's new-look 3-4 defensive scheme, Liufau is expected to take on more pass-rushing duties than in his two previous years. He will likely remain a heavy contributor on special teams as well.
Moore, a fourth-round draft pick this spring out of Florida, is dealing with what the team website describes as a hip injury. He played 17 defensive snaps versus the Saints (along with four on special teams) and saw action on 20 defensive snaps (six on special teams) against Arizona. Moore previously missed some practice time during training camp with a groin injury and battled multiple injuries during his collegiate career with the Gators.
The Dallas Cowboys have placed OLB Marist Liufau and CB Devin Moore on the IR/DTR list.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) August 30, 2026
They will have to miss at least the first four games of the season.
While the IR/DTR moves helped the Cowboys create two roster openings on the initial 53, it does mean they have only six more times they'll be permitted to use the temporary tactic during the regular season.
Both Liufau and Moore will technically be eligible to begin practicing again after the Week 4 game and return to the lineup as early as the Cowboys' Week 5 primetime game versus Tampa Bay. But with that contest coming on a short week, their absences will more likely stretch into mid-to-late October.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys' injured OLB, rookie CB to miss at least first 4 games of regular season
