The Dallas Cowboys have started reshaping their roster for the 2026 season after finishing the preseason 2-1. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys front office made a series of moves on Sunday as Dallas works toward its Super Bowl goal.

According to DallasCowboys.com, Dallas moved 39 players off the roster before the NFL's 53-man deadline. Most were waived or released, including 2022 second-round pick Sam Williams and running backs Jaydon Blue, Israel Abanikanda, and Phil Mafah.

The Cowboys also traded offensive tackle Nate Thomas to the Houston Texans for a 2027 draft pick. Defensive tackle Tommy Dunn, cornerbacks Trikweze Bridges and Josh Butler, linebacker Isaiah Land, and tight end Zack Kuntz were also released.

Among the departures are also wide receivers Tyler Johnson, Denzel Mims and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, along with linebacker Curtis Robinson, center Nick Leverett and cornerback Derion Kendrick. The team waived 28 players in total.

The Cowboys waived tight end DJ Rogers due to an injury. They also placed linebacker Marist Liufau and cornerback Devin Moore on reserve/injured-designated for return, according to DallasCowboys.com on August 30.

That gives the Cowboys a path to bring both players back later in the season.

The initial 53-man roster is only the first step. Dallas still has to build its practice squad, and the waiver wire could create more changes before the regular season begins.

Nearly 900 players were cut across the NFL over the weekend, giving teams plenty of options to examine.

The Cowboys could still make trades, claim players or move on from members of Sunday's roster.

More movement arrived Monday when Dallas made a change at quarterback.

Cowboys release Joe Milton after waiver claim

The Cowboys released Joe Milton III on Monday after claiming running back Emari Demercado off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Josh Alpert of NBC Sports on August 31.

Milton's release ends the summer-long competition with Sam Howell for the backup quarterback job.

Dallas had initially kept Dak Prescott, Milton, and Howell on its 53-man roster on Sunday. Milton had spent the offseason battling Howell for the No. 2 spot behind Prescott.

Milton had a productive preseason, completing 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns. NBC Sports reported that his performance had earned praise from head coach Brian Schottenheimer before Dallas made its roster decision.

Howell finished stronger in the preseason finale against New Orleans, throwing two touchdowns while Milton passed for 92 yards. In fact, Schottenheimer had previously described their competition as "neck and neck."

Dallas signed Howell in free agency with a guaranteed $2.5 million to challenge Milton. No trade materialized for either quarterback despite teams making calls before the initial roster deadline.

Milton appeared in four games for Dallas last season and completed 15 of 24 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown. His next opportunity could come elsewhere, although a return to Dallas' practice squad remains possible.

For now, Howell is the only backup quarterback behind Prescott. The Cowboys still have time to make more changes before opening the regular season against the New York Giants on September 13.

Written by

Evince Das