Dallas Cowboys release their 53-man roster for the 2021 season
The Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday made their final set of cuts, trimming the roster down to 53 men ahead of the NFL’s deadline. The Cowboys new-look roster will open up the regular season with a Thursday night showdown on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 9 at Raymond James Stadium.
The Cowboys finished in third place in the NFC East with a 6-10 record in 2020. They have missed the playoffs the past two seasons.
Perhaps this season the Cowboys can turn the tides, as star quarterback Dak Prescott returns from a season-ending ankle injury suffered in Week 5 of the 2020 season. Before Prescott’s injury, he was among the league’s leaders in most major quarterback statistics, totaling 1,856 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions, while completing 68 percent of his passes. If Prescott is ever unable to play, he will be immediately backed up by Cooper Rush, the Cowboys No. 2 quarterback.
Quarterback (2): Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush
Prescott, returning from injury, has incredibly high expectations heading into the 2021 season after a masterful start to 2020 was cut short by injury. Plus, Prescott, one of the league’s best quarterbacks, signed a four-year, $160 million contract this offseason, perhaps only adding to those expectations.
Running Back (2): Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard
Ezekiel Elliott had a down-year last season, rushing for 979 yards and six touchdowns — both career lows, and the only season that comes close is 2017, a year in which he only played ten games due to injury. The bellcow back managed only four yards per carry, down half a yard from the year prior, and was far less effective in the receiving game than usual. He’ll look to pick up where he left off in 2019 this year, and Tony Pollard will be there to provide support.
Wide Receiver (5): Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Malik Turner, Cedrick Wilson, Simi Fehoko
CeeDee Lamb remains on the COVID-19 list after he was one of five Cowboys put on the team’s COVID-19 reserve last Monday. The second-year product out of Alabama figures to be a major component of the offense upon his return, with Amari Cooper also benefitting from the return of Dak Prescott.
Tight End (3): Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, Sean McKeon
Sean McKeon has a lingering ankle injury and will have to miss time in the regular season. However, the Cowboys have to put him on the roster for at least one day in order to be permitted to return this season. Then, they’ll move him to the injured reserve. Blake Jarwin, an undrafted product of Oklahoma State in 2017, will be the go-to tight end for the time being.
Offensive Line (10): Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, La’el Collins, Connor McGovern, Ty Nsekhe, Terence Steele, Matt Farniok, Josh Ball, Brandon Knight
Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, La’el Collins and Connor McGovern should be consistent starters on the Cowboys offensive line. Behind those five, the Cowboys have flexibility — Matt Farniok being the backup center, and either Nsekhe or Steele could be the backup tackle.
Defensive Line (13): DeMarcus Lawrence, Neville Gallimore, Randy Gregory, Osa Odighizuwa, Dorance Armstrong, Tarell Basham, Brent Urban, Quinton Bohanna, Azur Kamara, Bradlee Anae, Trysten Hill, Chauncey Golston
Neville Gallimore will also start the season with an injury, so he’ll be replaced on the active roster after being moved to the injured reserve. All eyes will be on DeMarcus Lawrence, who will look to return to his Pro Bowl ways of 2017 and 2018.
Linebacker (6): Leighton Vander Esch, Micah Parsons, Keanu Neal, Jaylon Smith, Jabril Cox, Luke Gifford
2018 first-round pick Leighton Vander Esch will hope to bounce back after a sub-par 2020 season, which seems possible from a 2018 second-team All-Pro. The addition of 2021 12th-overall pick Micah Parsons from Penn State can only help, as Parsons has a legitimate chance to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Cornerback (6): Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Maurice Canady, Kelvin Joseph, Nahshon Wright, C.J. Goodwin
The Cowboys have plenty of depth at cornerback, and second-year Alabama product Trevon Diggs will look to take the next step in 2021. He’ll most likely cover the opponents’ top wideouts, but he’ll have plenty of help from his safeties.
Safety (4): Damontae Kazee, Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker, Israel Mukuamu
In any other week, Damontae Kazee would be the Dallas Cowboys’ top safety on their roster. But this week, after being placed on the COVID-19 reserve list Wednesday, the Cowboys will have to lean heavily on Donovan Wilson and Jayron Kearse in Week 1.
Specialists (2): Greg Zuerlein (PK), Bryan Anger (P)
No surprises here. Greg Zuerlein, a 2017 first-team All-Pro, was sidelined for most of the preseason with a back injury, but he’s being thrust back into action for the Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys roster finalized — for now
With over a week left until gameday, the Cowboys could still make several moves to shift their actual Week 1 roster for the Buccaneers.
The Cowboys were forced to make several moves on Tuesday to ensure they reached the 53-man limit. Among those changes, Dallas waived quarterbacks Ben DiNucci and Garrett Gilbert, running backs JaQuan Hardy and Brenden Knox, wide receivers Brandon Smith, Johnnie Dixon and Osirius Mitchell, offensive tackle Eric Smith, center Braylon Jones, defensive ends Austin Faoliu and Ron’Dell Carter and safeties Darian Thompson and Tyler Coyle.