IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys continued to tweak the bottom of their 53-man roster Monday, adding depth to their offensive line by claiming two-year veteran tackle Jordan Mills off waivers from the Chicago Bears.
To make room for Mills, the Cowboys waived veteran linebacker Jasper Brinkley.
Mills joins Darrion Weems as a second backup tackle on the active roster. Weems won the initial preseason competition for the backup swing tackle spot vacated by Jermey Parnell, who signed a five-year, $32 million deal with the Jaguars in the offseason.
A fifth-round pick by the Bears in 2013, Mills started 29 games at right tackle over two seasons.
The Cowboys now have nine offensive linemen on the active roster: returning starters Tyron Smith, Ronald Leary, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin and Doug Free; and backups Weems, Mills, Mackenzy Bernadeau and rookie La'el Collins.
The Cowboys signed Brinkley in March to a two-year contract that included $2 million guaranteed to compete for a spot in the rotation. Keith Smith, who re-signed with the team in training camp following a tryout, won a job with a strong preseason and his ability on special teams.
With Brinkley waived, the Cowboys now have six linebackers: Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens, Kyle Wilber, Andrew Gachkar, rookie Damien Wilson and Smith. Rolando McClain is on the Reserve/Suspended list for the first four games of the regular season.
