Cowboys news: Takeaways and analysis of Dallas’ 53-man roster

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 28: Head coach Brian Schottenheimer of the Dallas Cowboys watches action prior to an NFL Preseason 2026 game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium on August 28, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Football is now two weeks away, preseason football is in the books, and Dallas now has a finalized 53-man roster. Players like Jaydon Blue and Michael Trigg unfortunately did not make the cut, while names like Camden Brown and both Sam Howell and Joe Milton are on the team. The last piece of the puzzle is finding out who is going to clear waivers and can make it back on the practice squad. It may not be the end of the road for guys like Blue and Trigg in Dallas if they can bring them back.

Cowboys release initial 53-man roster for 2026 season- Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com

There are still moves Dallas can make with their roster. Especially with two weeks to go, it would be surprising if these were the 53 men on the roster come week one.

The initial 53-man roster is just the starting point of Dallas' personnel taking full shape, as they'll also work to create their practice squad and with two weeks until the season opener, could see different personnel transactions from now until kickoff on Sunday night in East Rutherford.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said the cut down decisions this season will be more difficult because Dallas is a deeper, better, more talented football team," and he and his staff had difficult decisions to make.

Cowboys 53-man roster analysis: Dallas keeps 3 QBs, cuts a notable veteran and more- Joseph Hoyt, DMN

One of the more notable cuts in Michael Trigg is a gamble. Because Trigg is not ready to be a consistent contributor on the team, but he did flash enough to believe he could do so down the line. Now Dallas has to hope he clears waivers.

The Cowboys decided to not havetheir highest-paid undrafted free agent on the initial roster, contradicting a common theme they've had in the past. They hope Trigg can make it through waivers and return to the practice squad, where he can continue his development under tight ends coach Lunda Wells.

Full details as Cowboys somehow convince Texans to trade for Nate Thomas- Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat

Amid the shuffle of cuts, the Cowboys pulled off a last-minute trade, sending Thomas to Houston. Since Thomas was far from a lock to make the roster in the first place, Dallas getting a seventh-round pick in return was a win.

Here's a snapshot of what the Cowboys have acquired and lost in the Broderick Jones and Nate Thomas trades.

Gained:

Broderick Jones

2027 fourth-round pick

2027 seventh-round pick

Lost:

2027 third-round pick

2027 sixth-round pick

Nate Thomas

Five most surprising cuts that the Dallas Cowboys made on Sunday - Nick Harris, FWST

In addition to Blue, Dallas had to part ways with several names that had been contributors as recently as last season. While unfortunate, this is a good sign, the roster is stronger and players that were relied on last year aren't even among the 53 best names in 2026.

Sam Williams

The 2022 second-round pick at the outside linebacker spot was brought back in the offseason on a one-year, fully guaranteed $2 million contract in hopes that the new scheme would benefit his progression, but the staff decided to cut ties after seeing him in training camp and in the preseason.

Dallas Cowboys' Perfect Answer at LB Just Fell Into Their Lap With NFL Roster Cuts- Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated

Don't forget that 31 other teams also trimmed down their rosters on Sunday, which means there is a whole batch of new talent on the free agency market. Dallas would be wise to look around, especially at impressive vet Tyrell Dotson.

While they're surely going to keep an eye on every player who is waived asteams trim their rosters to 53 players, the Cowboys might have already been gifted the answer to their concerns. On Sunday, it was announced that the Miami Dolphins are releasing linebacker Tyrel Dodson, and since he's a vested veteran, he will immediately become a free agent.

4 burning questions after Cowboys cut down to 53- LP Cruz, Blogging The Boys

While we now have a significantly clearer picture of what the roster will look like heading into next season, there are still outstanding questions. This are still holes that could be addressed and talent that could fill them.

Is there a backup nose tackle?

Tommy Dunn, the Kansas UDFA, produced enough positive snaps to make a case as the reserve nose. The Cowboys disagreed and cut him, along with Jay Toia (who showed flashes against Arizona but struggled against the Saints).

Daily discussion question: What do you make of the initial 53-man roster?