FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys reached the NFL's 53-man roster limit by Saturday's 3 p.m. deadline by making 38 moves, including releasing backup quarterback Kellen Moore.
They also traded an undisclosed selection in 2019 to the Cincinnati Bengals for cornerback Bene' Benwikere.
Moore is the most notable departure from the 90-man preseason roster, having entered training camp firmly as the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Dak Prescott. Because he's a vested veteran, Moore does not go through waivers and immediately becomes a free agent.
By the end of preseason, undrafted rookie Cooper Rush began splitting second-team reps with Moore. Rush, who threw six touchdown passes and no interceptions in four games, is currently the team's only backup quarterback behind starter Dak Prescott. Veteran Luke McCown was also released.
Benwikere, a fifth-round pick by Carolina in 2014, played in 27 games (14 starts) over three seasons with the Panthers, recording 76 tackles, 20 pass breakups and two interceptions.
Last October, after being waived by Carolina, Benwikere was claimed by Miami and later spent time on the Dolphins' and Packers' practice squads. The Bengals signed him in February. He could provide depth at cornerback early in the season with rookies Chido Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis working back from injury.
To help reach the 53-man limit, the Cowboys moved three players to reserve lists. Cornerback Duke Thomas (ankle, knee) was placed on Reserve/Injured; defensive ends David Irving (four games) and Damontre' Moore (two games) were placed on Reserve/Suspended.
Here is the Cowboys' full list of roster moves to reach the league's 53-man limit:
Waived
DE Richard Ash
DE Woody Baron
RB Brandon Brown-Dukes
WR Brian Brown
C Ross Burbank
CB Dejaun Butler
DT Jordan Carrell
G Kadeem Edwards
LB Kennan Gilchrist
CB John Green
WR Karel Hamilton
P Sam Irwin-Hill
DT Joey Ivie
TE Blake Jarwin
WR Andy Jones
LB Joseph Jones
DE Lenny Jones
WR Lance Lenoir
DE Darnell Leslie
LB Lamar Louis
TE M.J. McFarland
DE Lewis Neal
WR Uzoma Nwachukwu
CB Sammy Seamster
S Jameill Showers
G Dan Skipper
G Nate Theaker
CB Marquez White
LS Zach Wood * *
*Released *
S Robert Blanton
T Emmett Cleary
RB Ronnie Hillman
QB Kellen Moore
QB Luke McCown* *
*Injury Settlement *
T Clay DeBord* *
*RESERVE/SUSPENDED *
DE Damontre' Moore
DE David Irving * *
*RESERVE/INJURED *
CB Duke Thomas * *
