Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season. Presented by Blockchain.com
April 30 Updates
12:00 a.m. – Jalen Tolbert, like all draft prospects, is used to fielding a lot of phone calls.
The one he got earlier this week, days before the Cowboys made him the No. 88 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was a bit different. Rather than an agent or a scout or a front office seeking to confirm his number, it was none other than Dak Prescott.
"For a minute it was a surreal moment because I never knew quarterbacks would call prospects," Tolbert said on Friday.
It's not common, but it does happen. And in their search for a new weapon to help replace Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson, the Cowboys enlisted their star quarterback's help.
"That was a Dak thing," said executive vice president of player personnel Will McClay. "The importance of him to the organization, he reached out. We said 'Hey, here's some guys for you to do your thing with."
The Cowboys declined to elaborate on how many prospects Prescott called, but this one stuck. Tolbert said he and Prescott talked for 20 minutes about football and his role with the Cowboys. As of now, it'll be the first conversation of many.
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April 26 Updates
3:01 p.m. – The Cowboys are taking things gradually with Michael Gallup's recovery from an ACL injury.
Gallup underwent surgery on the torn ligament in early February, after tearing it while making a 21-yard touchdown catch against Arizona on Jan. 2.
The injury didn't prevent the Cowboys from signing their 2018 draft pick to a five-year, $57.5 million contract last month, though the timeline for his return to action is still uncertain.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Gallup is making progress, but it might have to wait until the team reports for training camp until we'll hear further.
"Michael is doing very well in his rehab. He's here every day. He's been here throughout the prehab, the surgery and now the rehab," McCarthy said. "I think once we get to training camp, we'll have a tighter view on exactly when he'll be available."
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April 25 Updates
12:07 p.m. – Technically the Cowboys' offseason program is voluntary, but it sounds like the team has had close to full attendance since phase one of workouts began last week.
"I didn't do the check myself, but I'm not surprised that everybody was there," quarterback Dak Prescott told reporters last Friday at the Children's Cancer Fund Gala in Dallas.
"You don't want to be that guy that's not building the chemistry or building what we're working for. I think that shows the character of the guys that we've got and credit to the front office and the coaches for getting people that want to be here when it's completely voluntary."
The first two weeks of the program include only meetings, strength, conditioning and physical rehab work with strength and conditioning coaches. Organized team activities (OTAs) begin May 24.
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April 18 Updates
2:11 p.m. - Newly-signed pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. sees the Cowboys as contenders.
Winning the NFC East? Making a deep run in the playoffs? What about a Super Bowl that has eluded this franchise for over 26 years?
Yes, to all, Fowler said, when speaking to the DFW media on Monday in a conference call. He explained his reasoning for choosing the Cowboys as his fourth pro team, stating that it runs deeper than just reuniting with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
"I'm fine with just playing with him the rest of my life," said Fowler, who played for Quinn at the University of Florida and the Atlanta Falcons. "That's the type of coach he is."
But Fowler said being in Dallas "is a great opportunity" and lists the Cowboys as "a team contending to be a Super Bowl champion. A team contending to go to the playoffs (and) being a really god defensive front 7."
All of those things are exciting to Fowler, who was the No. 3 overall pick of the Jaguars in 2015 before playing with the Rams and Falcons and now joins the Cowboys.
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1:56 p.m. - In his first media session since signing his franchise tag back in March, Dalton Schultz discussed many subjects from his new contract, a possible extension and working with Dak Prescott in the offseason.
Schultz had a career-highs in 2021 in catches (78), reviving yards (808) and TDs (8). But individually, the tight end said he's looking to improve on another aspect of his game - blocking.
In doing so, Schultz said he added 5-6 pounds this offseason. "I wanted to grow a little more mass."
Adding some depth at tight end is something the Cowboys could do in the upcoming draft, especially if a blocking tight end is available. But it sounds as if Schultz will try to help out in that area as well.
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April 14 Updates
11:44 a.m. – The Cowboys are releasing Hunter Niswander from the roster.
The Northwestern product has been with the team since midway through the 2020 season, when he took over for an injured Chris Jones. He filled in admirably for eight games that year, averaging 47 yards per attempt.
The arrival of Bryan Anger last offseason essentially took him out of the running for that job, however, and he was eventually waived/injured during training camp before reverting to injured reserve.
With Anger signing a three-year extension earlier this offseason, the punter position is settled in Dallas. Though it's worth wondering if the Cowboys will bring another punter to training camp to handle some of the workload during practice and preseason games.
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April 11 Updates
3:45 p.m. – Another member of the Cowboys' 2021 receiver corps is off to a new job.
Most of the big-time deals have been done by this point in free agency, but the San Francisco 49ers did announce the addition of Malik Turner on Monday afternoon.
Turner joined the Cowboys with very little fanfare in 2020, as the team claimed him off waivers following his release from the Green Bay Packers at the end of training camp.
While most of his contributions came on special teams, Turner did turn some heads last season with some notable moments in the waning minutes of lopsided games. He finished the year with 12 catches for 149 yards and three touchdowns, with the highlight being his three-catch, 82-yard performance in the 56-14 blowout of Washington the night after Christmas.
Noah Brown and Simi Fehoko figure to be the favorites to round out the receiver depth chart behind CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and James Washington, as speculation will continue on if and when the Cowboys will select a receiver in this month's NFL draft.
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April 6 Updates
3:17 p.m. – Looks like Keanu Neal is heading to Tampa Bay.
The free agent safety/linebacker is expected to sign with the Bucs, according to NFL Media and reports, after reuniting with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in Dallas last season.
Neal made a Pro Bowl with the Falcons in 2017 when Quinn was Atlanta's head coach. He moved from safety to linebacker with the Cowboys last season and played about 50% of the defensive snaps, posting 49 tackles (four for loss).
Cowboys second-year linebacker Jabril Cox is working his way back from last year's ACL tear and could take over Neal's role from last season.
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April 4 Updates
2:10 p.m. – CB Trevon Diggs switched to a single-digit jersey number last year (No. 27 to 7), and now two of his teammates in the secondary are doing the same for 2022.
CB Anthony Brown is changing from No. 30 to 3, and CB Jourdan Lewis will go from No. 26 to 2.
The NFL relaxed its jersey number rules last year, allowing defensive backs to wear any number from 1-49.
Elsewhere in jersey number news, DE Dante Fowler will wear No. 56.
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March 30 Updates
3:10 p.m. – The Cowboys believe they're in pretty good shape at linebacker after bringing back Leighton Vander Esch and re-signing safety Jayron Kearse, who played in the box quite a bit last season and led the defense in tackles.
And Jabril Cox, a fourth-round draft pick a year ago, is making progress from the ACL tear he suffered Oct. 31 against the Vikings.
Cox could take a larger role in the linebacker rotation in 2022. Veteran Keanu Neal, who played just over 50% of the snaps last season, is still an unrestricted free agent.
"He's doing really well. Feel great about him," Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones said about Cox. "Feel great that he is the right fit for what (defensive coordinator) Dan (Quinn) wants to do defensively. I think he's coming along great. Should be a big plus for us this year. Will fill right in where Keanu left off. I think he has great coverage skills. A good offseason will be good for him. Really like his upside."
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3:09 p.m. – The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on tight end Dalton Schultz earlier this month. Could both sides work out a long-term deal before the mid-July deadline?
"We've just got to see kind of where we end up with everything from an overall standpoint," Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones said. "But obviously the fact that we franchised Dalton tells you all you need to know about what we think about him. We'll just kind of see how that progresses."
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March 29 Updates
10:51 a.m. – Sounds like the Cowboys are hopeful that Michael Gallup will return from knee surgery in time for the season opener -- if not Week 1, then not long after.
"Optimistically, I expect him to give us a question mark around the first game," Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones told reporters this week. "And I see a conversation that's a conservatively, 'We'd like to have a couple more games to get him out there,' and then I can see the aggressive side being, 'He's sure looking good out there, feels good and says he's ready to go."
Gallup had surgery in February to fix a torn ACL suffered Jan. 2 against Arizona. Rehab with the athletic training staff is going well.
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March 28 Updates
2:24 p.m. – Depending on who falls to them, the Cowboys are likely to draft an offensive lineman somewhere in the first three rounds, according to Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones — not exactly a surprise given the club's changes up front this offseason (left guard Connor Williams leaving in free agency, right tackle La'el Collins released with a post-June 1 designation).
"Famous last words: We'll get one unless (CeeDee) Lamb or (Micah) Parsons is there," Jones joked Monday in a visit with reporters.
Connor McGovern, a third-round pick in 2019, is the last offensive lineman drafted by the Cowboys on Day 1 or 2. McGovern has some center experience from college but has played guard in his first two active seasons, starting four games at left guard and nine games at right. He'll be competing for a spot again this year, though it'll be interesting to see who the Cowboys add to the depth chart in the draft or perhaps in the second wave of free agency..
Here are the Cowboys' last five O-Line draft picks in the first three rounds:
- G Connor McGovern (2019, No. 90)
- G Connor Williams (2018, No. 50)
- T Chaz Green (2015, No. 91)
- G Zack Martin (2014, No. 16)
- C Travis Frederick (2013, No. 31)
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March 25 Updates
12:20 p.m. – Jayron Kearse is officially back with the Cowboys.
The Cowboys on Friday re-signed last season's leading tackler to a two-year contract worth up to a reported $11 million.
Kearse was a key factor in the defense's turnaround last season, posting a team-high 92 tackles along with 10 pass breakups, two interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery. That stat line sums up his versatility, able to cover tight ends or play down in the box against the run.
The Cowboys also officially re-signed punter Bryan Anger and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins on Thursday.
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March 21 Updates
4:32 p.m. - Tight end Dalton Schultz has officially signed his franchise tag. The Cowboys turned it into the NFL office Monday afternoon.
Unless he signs a new contract, Schultz will play for the one-year, $10.9 million tag for the 2022 season. But by him signing the deal, it does not prevent the Cowboys from still negotiating on a long-term deal that would not only keep him in the mix beyond this year, but would probably lower his cap charge for this season.
Signing the deal also allows Schultz to participate in any workouts held at The Star.
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9:42 a.m. – The Cowboys and linebacker Luke Gifford officially signed a one-year contract on Monday.
The Cowboys did not tender Gifford a restricted free agent offer, which made him an unrestricted free agent before reaching a new deal with Dallas.
Gifford has been a productive core special teams player since joining the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He appeared in 16 games last season, playing 32 defensive snaps with five tackles.
"I love Luke," Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said in January. "…Luke is the same guy every day, works extremely hard, is a really good football player. He's just playing with a dynamic group of players. He shows up every week on special teams and when he does get his opportunities he delivers on defense."
Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch also reached a new one-year deal with Dallas on Friday.
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March 17 Updates
11:46 a.m. - The Cowboys are closing in on signing defensive end Dorance Armstrong. The four-year veteran was expected to hit free agency and likely sign with another team. But after the Cowboys lost Randy Gregory to Denver, Armstrong became a much bigger priority. Losing two defensive ends in one way would've been problematic for a Cowboys defense that turned the corner in 2021.
Armstrong has been more of a role player during his career but he did register five sacks, a career-high, last year and was a valuable member of the special teams unit.
The Cowboys are hoping to finalize the deal Thursday afternoon.
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March 16 Updates
4:12 p.m. – With the Amari Cooper trade to Cleveland now official, the Cowboys are now up to nine draft picks this year.
The Cowboys received the Browns' fifth-round pick, No. 155 overall, in the Cooper trade. The teams also swapped sixth-round picks: Cleveland's (No. 193) for the Cowboys' (No. 202).
The NFL on Wednesday provided the round-by-round 2022 NFL Draft order. Here are the Cowboys' updated picks for April's draft:
- 1st Round: 24th overall
- 2nd Round: 56th overall
- 3rd Round: 88th overall
- 4th Round: 129th overall
- 5th Round: 155th overall
- 5th Round: 167th overall
- 5th Round:176th overall (compensatory)
- 5th Round: 178th overall (compensatory)
- 6th Round: 193rd overall
- 7th Round: none
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March 15 Updates
5:12 p.m. - One of the main reasons the Cowboys and DeMarcus Lawrence worked together on a new contract to free up space, was to sign some of their own defensive talent.
While Randy Gregory was supposed to be included that mix, the Cowboys are still hopeful to get another safety to return. After getting Malik Hooker to agree on a two-year deal Tuesday, the Cowboys continued their discussions with Jayron Kearse, the team's leading tackler in 2021.
Kearse was one of the Cowboys' best free-agent signings last year. but after a 1-year deal, it might take more to land Kearse this time around, especially after being one of the key players of Dan Quinn's defense last year.
With a team-high 92 tackles, Kearse had the best season of his career. Listed as a safety, Kearse played a more hybrid role that saw him line up as a linebacker in passing situations.
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March 14 Updates
4:21 p.m. – Former Cowboys cornerback Reggie Robinson is headed to the Houston Texans.
According to reports, Houston has claimed Robinson off waivers after the Cowboys parted ways with the 2020 fourth-round pick last Friday.
Robinson played in five games in a special teams role his rookie season. Last year the Cowboys moved him from safety back to cornerback, his college position, but he landed on injured reserve for the whole season.
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March 12 Updates
9:12 a.m. – While the future of wide receiver Amari Cooper and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence with the Cowboys is still uncertain, the same could be said about right tackle La'el Collins, who's currently still under contract through 2024.
The Cowboys have given Collins' agent permission to seek a trade, according to NFL Media and reports, as the club continues to evaluate options for creating salary cap space before the start of free agency. The Cowboys saved over $6 million Friday by releasing kicker Greg Zuerlein and waiving/injured tight end Blake Jarwin. Collins is scheduled for a $10 million base salary in 2022.
If the Cowboys eventually part ways with Collins by trade or release, it likely would mean Terence Steele takes over at right tackle full time. Steele played well in six starts last season, including five while Collins served a league suspension.
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March 11 Updates
3:52 p.m. - The Cowboys made some headlines on Friday by cutting Greg Zuerlein and Blake Jarwin. But the team also cut ties with three other players, including cornerback Reggie Robinson, a fourth-round pick in 2020.
Robinson only played in five games and was on IR for the entire 2021 season. Robinson was supposed to be a versatile defender who could play safety and corner and shine on special teams but his development was hindered by COVID-19 and the lack of preseason games. He only played five games, mostly on special teams towards the end of the 2020 season.
The Cowboys also waived veteran running back Ito Smith and wide receiver Robert Foster, who was on the practice squad.
March 9 Updates
12:48 p.m. – Looks like the Cowboys will face Carson Wentz in the NFC East once again.
Washington has made a trade with the Indianapolis Colts for Wentz, according to NFL Media and reports, making Wentz the likely starter for the newly-named Commanders in 2022.
Wentz, the No. 2 overall pick by the Eagles in the 2016 NFL Draft, faced the Cowboys seven times with Philly from 2016-20, posting a 4-4 record. He started all 17 games for the Colts last season, posting 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
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March 4 Updates
4:26 p.m. -- Perhaps Michael Gallup won't hit free agency after all?
According to multiple reports, the Cowboys and Gallup are discussing a new contract for the starting receiver, whose rookie deal expired after the season. (The Cowboys have not commented publicly about the talks, however.)
Gallup, a third-round draft pick out of Colorado State in 2018, has emerged as a viable option in the passing game for quarterback Dak Prescott as arguably the best downfield threat in a deep and talented receiver group.
In four seasons, Gallup has produced 193 catches for 2,902 yards and 15 touchdowns, including a 1,000-yard season in 2020.
The 2021 season was filled with injury challenges. Gallup missed seven games with a calf injury, and after returning for eight games, he tore the ACL in his left knee on a jump-ball touchdown catch against the Arizona Cardinals on Jan. 2.
Gallup underwent surgery in early February, and the Cowboys feel good about his outlook for the 2022 season and beyond.
Gallup can negotiate with other teams as an unrestricted free agent beginning on March 14 if a new deal isn't reached.
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March 3 Updates
12:55 p.m. – The Cowboys finished the 2021 season with the NFL's No. 1-ranked offense, so it's hard to say they had a down year in that department.
But production did drop down the stretch, including the playoff loss to San Francisco. So a popular question this offseason is: could the Cowboys have featured backup running back Tony Pollard more, particularly with starter Ezekiel Elliott playing through a knee injury throughout the season?
"I don't have any issues with how we approached the season last year," head coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday from the NFL Combine. " … As far as, 'Did we use this guy enough or that guy enough,' I think it's convenient criticism, frankly. I think if you look at our numbers, our numbers of productivity were top in the league in a lot of categories. Now, how can we do that again? But I'm not as interested in being the No. 1 ranked offense in the National Football League. We need to be the No. 1 complementary offense, and I think we accomplished that clearly in my second year as opposed to the first year."
Pollard did have a career-high 130 carries (compared to Elliott's 237) and averaged 5.5 yards per rush, fifth best in the league and second best among running backs. He set career highs in rushing yards (719), catches (39) and receiving yards (337).
"Tony is a multi-positional player, so we've just got to keep spreading him out, and I think we have a tremendous, tremendous attack with both him and Zeke," McCarthy said.
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March 1 Updates
1:34 p.m. - When asked about the status of running back Ezekiel Elliott this week, Cowboys VP Stephen Jones made it clear the veteran running back isn't going anywhere. He's got guarantees in his contract that make it financially impossible to part ways with him before this year.
But contract aside, Jones also applauded Zeke for his toughness last year, fighting through partially-torn ligaments in his knee for most of the season. He also said having Elliott - especially at full strength - will help the team in 2022.
"I want Zeke on my team. You talk about playing through some injuries and things that are hard," Jones said from Indianapolis. "I mean, he is a competitor. I think he is a damn good running back. I think he's going to help us win this year. Obviously his contract, his money is guaranteed, he's going to be here. There's no question. So, and we're fortunate to have him."
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Cowboys assistant athletic trainer Greg Gaither has received the Tim Davey Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year Award on the NFC side from the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society.
Gaither has been part of the Cowboys' athletic training staff for the past 21 seasons, assisting with coordinating player rehabilitation and treatment programs while overseeing all medical records.
In 2020, the entire staff was voted the NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year by their peers.
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Feb. 28 Updates
1:23 p.m. - On Monday, the NFL announced five "home teams" for the international games to be played in 2022, including three games in London. The NFL is also playing games in Mexico and Germany this year.
While the actual matchups have not been determined just yet, the Cowboys would at least have the opportunity to be included for two of the London games. The NFL released Monday that Green Bay, New Orleans and Jacksonville will play at London. The Cowboys are scheduled to play road games in Green Bay and Jacksonville.
The Cowboys have not played at Jacksonville since 2006because they actually played the Jaguars in London in 2014. It's hard to think the NFL would skip the Cowboys' trip to Jacksonville for a second time but also unlikely they would pass on the chance to send Mike McCarthy back to Green Bay for the first time.
Either way, London is the only option for the Cowboys to go overseas. The league announced Arizona will play in Mexico and the Bucs are headed to Germany. The Cowboys do play Tampa Bay but at home.
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Feb. 21 Updates
11:12 a.m. – The Vikings are expected to hire Cowboys assistant special teams coordinator Matt Daniels as new special teams coordinator, according to NFL Media and reports.
Daniels has worked alongside Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel in Dallas for the past two seasons, and before that, on the Rams' staff from 2018-19.
The Vikings are building a new staff after hiring former Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell as their new head coach.
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