Full offensive line reunites as key players return, and others find new roles. Who steps up for the Cowboys?
As they make final preparations for their pivotal Week 9 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys have made a plethora of roster moves. These range from practice squad elevations to IR placements and activations to an active roster signing:
The real eye catcher is of course the activation of center Cooper Beebe. With his return, the team has its full starting offensive line for the first time since Beebe’s high ankle sprain in Week 2.
While Brock Hoffman did well enough in his stead, posting an overall 56.2 PFF grade in six starts, Beebe will be welcomed back with open arms. In the meantime, Hoffman will go back to providing valuable depth.
On the defensive side, linebacker Jack Sanborn will head to the IR after not having played since Week 5 against the New York Jets. Between the rise of Shemar James, potential trade additions, and the coaching staff’s odd infatuation with playing Kenneth Murray, it’s entirely possible that Sanborn has played his last snap of the season.
The signing of Malik Davis to the active roster is notable for a few reasons. One, he received his first two carries since 2022 in Dallas’ Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Second, it comes after Brian Schottenheimer said that the number two running back job was an open competition.
While rookie Jaydon Blue recorded a career-high 29 rushing yards in back-to-back weeks, he did have his first career fumble in that Denver game. That, combined with an overall underwhelming performance, has apparently swung the door wide open for Davis to take the opportunity and run with it, no pun intended.
Beyond that, we have two practice squad elevations. While he’s predominantly been a cornerback in the NFL, Childress was seen getting work with the safeties at practice this week. That makes sense considering the injuries the team has suffered at that position group, and Childress now provides multi-positional depth in the secondary.
Princeton Fant is a blocking tight end that hasn’t played any snaps this season. It’s very likely that he’s simply special teams' depth, but we’ll find out soon enough.
Overall, a flurry of moves as the team gets ready for one last push after the Week 10 bye week. While there are a lot of questions surrounding the team, one thing seems certain, as always: the Cowboys are really truly, win or lose, never boring.