Dallas Cowboys reportedly make decision on tight end Jeremy Sprinkle

Free agency is in full swing across the NFL, and the Dallas Cowboys have made a few moves over the past couple of days. On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Cowboys have re-signed tight end Jeremy Sprinkle to a one-year deal.

“The #Cowboys are re-signing TE Jeremy Sprinkle to a one-year veteran salary benefit deal,” Pelissero tweeted.

This past season was Sprinkle’s first with the Cowboys. On the year, he appeared in all 17 games with four starts. Sprinkle played a minimal role in the passing game, but had more of a role as a blocker. He caught all three of his targets for 31 yards in his first year with Dallas.

Sprinkle began his NFL career with Washington after being selected in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was drafted after bringing in 71 receptions for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns across four seasons with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Sprinkle caught just seven passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons, but he broke out in 2019. That year, he caught 26 of his 40 targets in Washington’s offense, bringing in 241 yards and one touchdown. He then reverted back to a minimal role in the offense in 2020 with just one reception for six yards.

Sprinkle adds depth to the Cowboys tight end room

Even though Sprinkle doesn’t play much of a role in the receiving game, he still adds valuable depth in the tight end room for the Cowboys as a blocker and special teams contributor. The Cowboys franchise tagged tight end Dalton Schultz, and Blake Jarwin is due to hit free agency as an unrestricted free agent. Jarwin missed most of this past season with an injury, but he has a big role in Dallas when healthy.

With Jarwin’s status uncertain, Sprinkle could see an uptick in usage this upcoming season. At the very least, the Cowboys thought that it was wise to bring him back, and he will be looking to make more of an impression in his second season with the Cowboys.