Dallas Cowboys claim cornerback Trayvon Mullen off of waivers

The Dallas Cowboys have claimed cornerback Trayvon Mullen off of waivers, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Wednesday. Mullen was waived by the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday.

A Clemson product, Mullen is in his fourth NFL season. He was a second round pick to the Raiders in the 2019 NFL Draft, spending the next three seasons with the team before being traded to Arizona this offseason. He appeared in eight games for the Cardinals this season, recording 13 tackles and a forced fumble.

Mullen should provide some much-needed depth to a Dallas team that has already lost cornerbacks Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis and Isaac Taylor-Stuart to injuries this season. His first chance to make an impact for the Cowboys will come at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

As the Cowboys gear up for the final month of the regular season, Trayvon Mullen will hope to play a pivotal role as they make a late push for the NFC East crown.

Dallas Cowboys playoff clinching scenarios

As the calendar winds down to Christmas, the Dallas Cowboys are still in a fight for the NFC East with the Philadelphia Eagles. Down two games with four remaining, it’s going to be an uphill battle, even with an upcoming head-to-head matchup. But even if Dallas cannot clinch a second straight division title, they are still likely to make the playoffs.

In fact, the Cowboys have an opportunity to secure their spot in the playoffs on Sunday. Five different scenarios can do it, with the first being simple — getting a win against Jacksonville. If the Jaguars end up on top, some help would be needed.

• Dallas win OR
• Dallas tie + New York Giants/Washington does not end in a tie OR
• Dallas tie + Seattle loss or tie OR
• Seattle loss + Detroit loss or tie OR
• Seattle loss + Washington loss

Dallas kicks off at 1 p.m. ET, as they will want to be the ones who are able to get a playoff spot locked up. However, three other games of interest will take place throughout Week 14.

Within the division, the New York Giants and Washington Commanders will play on Sunday Night Football. If Dallas happens to tie Jacksonville and there is an outright winner in our nation’s capital, head coach Mike McCarthy will be playoff bound once again.

Detroit will be on the road, facing the AFC’s New York team, the Jets. A loss by the Lions plus Seattle not getting a win helps out Dallas as well. Detroit getting a win to keep pace in their own division race would greatly help a team who has not made a postseason appearance since 2016.

Seattle will be focusing on their own problems as they face off against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. A win keeps them alive in the NFC West and potentially hosting a playoff game or two in January.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.