It’s a busy time in the NFL, where teams are preparing their rosters for the upcoming season. The whirlwind of player movement for the Dallas Cowboys has included trading for a first-round bust at offensive tackle, a surprise release of quarterback Joe Milton, and watching running back Jaydon Blue sign with the rival Philadelphia Eagles.
Amidst all the chaos, it might have been missed that another rival Pennsylvania team signed a former Cowboy as well. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed safety Juanyeh Thomas to their practice squad after he was released by the Indianapolis Colts on cutdown day. The move reunites Thomas with the former Cowboys coach that kept the undrafted free agent in 2022, Mike McCarthy.
Steelers plan to sign safety Juanyeh Thomas
to the practice squad, per source. Thomas, cut by Indianapolis on Sunday, had 62 tackles for the Cowboys from 2023-25.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 31, 2026
In four seasons with the Cowboys, Thomas appeared in 36 games, started one and combined for 62 tackles. He became a valuable backup safety, but it was on special teams where Thomas made a name for himself with some memorable moments. Thomas blocked two kicks in his career, one field goal, as well as one extra point attempt, and returned an onsides kick for a score.
It took only one game for Thomas to make his mark in the league. During the 2023 Cowboys’ season opener, after the New York Giants saw their first drive stall, they lined up to attempt a field goal, but Thomas blocked the kick and it was returned for a touchdown in a 40-0 blowout win.
Last season, Thomas blocked an extra point attempt by the Green Bay Packers, which was returned for two points by the Cowboys. That play turned the momentum to the Cowboys’ side in a game where the team was getting blown out early. The game wound up in a tie, but Thomas’ block helped save the team from a loss.
The Steelers really just got an elite playmaker in Juanyeh Thomas…
— PickensBurgh 🫡 (@PickensBurgh) August 31, 2026
WOW 👀 pic.twitter.com/JMxDL1lJYT https://t.co/MNzMrS9KAC
Perhaps Thomas’ most memorable play, however, came in a wild fourth quarter win over the Washington Commanders in 2024. Dallas needed to secure the win by fielding an onsides kick, which Thomas did, then returning it 43 yards for the game-sealing touchdown.
Last season Thomas appeared in seven games for the Cowboys before chronic migraines landed him on IR in November. The team decided not to bring him back this year and Thomas signed with the Colts before releasing him.
Thomas is the third former Cowboy and McCarthy disciple that has landed with the Steelers since he got the job as head coach, joining RB Rico Dowdle and offensive lineman Brock Hoffman. Coaches tend to remain loyal to their players and Thomas found a new team with a few familiar faces.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Former Cowboys safety reunites with McCarthy's Steelers
