Cowboys signing safety Juanyeh Thomas

Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys are depleted at the safety position with Malik Hooker nursing a fracture in his forearm that may need another week. Also, P.J. Locke is on injured reserve with a foot injury and Jalen Thompson will head there shortly due to a hamstring injury that's expected to keep him out for 4-6 weeks. In light of this, the Cowboys have signed Juanyeh Thomas after a workout on Tuesday. This is his second stint with the team.

Sources: The #Cowboys are signing S Juanyeh Thomas, bringing him back to where his NFL career began.

Thomas joined Dallas as an undrafted free agent and played in 36 games from 2022-2025, recording 62 tackles, 5 PBUs and 1 forced fumble. https://t.co/A5JQSvHGfSpic.twitter.com/qtkHCLQ9xp

- Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 29, 2026

Thomas went undrafted in 2022 out of Georgia Tech before he was signed by the Cowboys. He was unable to make the final roster, but Thomas did make the practice squad for the season. In January, of 2023, he signed a reserve/future contract. He then made the final roster that year after performing well in the preseason. Thomas logged 190 snaps on defense with one start and registered 22 tackles and four pass breakups in 16 games.

In 2024, Thomas saw action in 13 games and tallied 14 tackles, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 94 snaps. He saw his most action last season as he played 266 snaps in seven games with three starts as he amassed 26 total tackles. Unfortunately, he was placed on the reserve/non-football illnes list last November due to chronic migraine headaches that affected his vision. Thomas was also a huge contributor on special teams with 706 snaps logged from 2023 to 2025.

Dallas decided not to tender Thomas as a restricted free agent during the offseason. As a result, be signed a one-year deal worth $1.3 million with the Indianapolis Colts back in March. He would be released in August because of migraine issues in training camp.

The Cowboys needed some bodies at safety as they were down to Markquese Bell and Alijah Clark. Thomas provides a veteran presence with experience playing significant snaps. It remains to be seen what he'll contribute in 2026, but he's certainly a valuable piece to have with the injuries at safety in Dallas.