Cowboys Re-Sign Bryan Anger
The Cowboys have re-signed Bryan Anger, per a club announcement. Anger was dropped as a part of the Cowboys’ final cuts but they did not sign another punter to replace him.
Anger spent 2019 and 2020 with the Texans, where he cleared 46 yards per punt in each campaign. In March, Houston cleared his contract from the books to save $2MM against the cap. Anger has also spent time with the Buccaneers and Jaguars, but he’s perhaps best known for being a punter that was drafted in the third round. The Cowboys inked him to a one-year deal in April, putting him in competition with Hunter Niswander for the job.
The Cowboys won’t have to make any additional cuts since right guard Zack Martin and offensive lineman Brandon Knight recently landed on the COVID-19 reserve list.
Cowboys’ Zack Martin Placed On COVID List
Cowboys guard Zack Martin has been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, per a club announcement. That means Martin is a no-go for Thursday night’s season opener against the Buccaneers and possibly longer, depending on when he clears protocol. 
[RELATED: Cowboys Out On Cam Newton]
Scores of players were sidelined by positive tests last year, but Martin is the first NFL player to be ruled out of a game in 2021. If Martin is vaccinated, he could be eligible to return after two negative test results. However, if he’s not vaccinated, he will be required to keep his distance for a minimum of ten days.
Martin, a six-time Pro Bowler, missed six regular season games last year with a calf injury. The Cowboys are counting on his availability, especially with La’el Collins‘ early season status in limbo. Without Martin, the Cowboys will likely slot Connor McGovern into the starting lineup. Fortunately, they’ll have Connor Williams on the opposite side — he was just recently cleared from his own COVID-19 list stint.
In other Cowboys news, it doesn’t sound like Cam Newton will be with Dallas on Thursday either. Despite speculation to the contrary, they’re not going to pursue the recently released Patriots quarterback. Ditto for the Washington Football Team — they’re ready to roll with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Taylor Heinicke, and Kyle Allen.
Cowboys, Washington Out On Cam Newton
Cam Newton being cut for a second straight year may produce another lengthy free agency stay. Neither the Cowboys nor Washington appear to be interested in adding the former MVP.
Following Newton’s New England exit, Ron Rivera said a reunion with the eight-plus-year Panthers starting quarterback popped up on his radar. But the second-year Washington HC was quick to indicate Ryan Fitzpatrick is his starter, via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post (on Twitter). Rivera added Washington will move forward with Fitz, Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen. Dallas followed suit, with Mike McCarthy adding the Cowboys are “pleased with the group” they have (via NFL.com’s Andrew Siciliano, on Twitter).
The Cowboys cut Garrett Gilbert and Ben DiNucci this week but claimed former Panthers third-round pick Will Grier, who joins Cooper Rush as Dallas’ QBs behind Dak Prescott. Considering Prescott’s season-ending ankle injury and the shoulder issue that emerged early in this year’s camp, the Cowboys having a proven backup would make sense. It just does not seem like they want to add Newton.
“You know, most people in the NFL that are even in the personnel area I think have Cam Newton evaluated, and his pluses and his minus. You know, [former Cowboys OC] Norv Turner did a great job … when he was coordinator [in Carolina] with Cam Newton. So, I think he’s no secret as to what he does and does well,” Jerry Jones said, during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan (via Pro Football Talk), when asked if he spoke with Bill Belichick about Newton.
“And of course he was basically able to be evaluated if you want to look at it playing games and results and all of that as an evaluation. Cam Newton is not playing because everybody has evaluated it and they’re making a decision. … We were very, very easy to evaluate Cam.”
Newton, 32, lost the Patriots’ QB1 job to Mac Jones and is not only coming off a rough 2020 season but a general decline over the past several years. The 2015 MVP ranked 29th in cumulative Total QBR from 2016-19; a foot injury capped the last of those seasons at two games. The other two quarterbacks who saw time on that 2019 Carolina squad — Grier and Allen — join fellow ex-Newton teammate Heinicke in representing three-fourths of Dallas and Washington’s reserve QBs.
The Ravens have second-year UDFA Tyler Huntley as Lamar Jackson‘s lone active-roster backup, and Newton certainly would not pose a threat to Jackson’s job were the historically productive running quarterback to land with the game’s best active ball-carrying QB. But nothing has emerged on that front. It would make sense now if Newton waits for an injury to clear a path for a potential job.
Cowboys’ La’el Collins Uncertain For Week 1
Injuries have been a fairly steady presence during La’el Collins‘ NFL career. Although Collins missed only one game from 2017-19, the Cowboys’ right tackle starter missed most of 2016 and all of last season. He is in jeopardy of missing the start of this year’s Dallas slate.
Collins has been out of practice since last week due to a neck issue, and Mike McCarthy expressed uncertainty regarding the talented blocker’s Week 1 status. Collins is in a “holding pattern” with his latest injury, per McCarthy.
The seventh-year lineman has fully recovered from the hip injury that knocked him out of the 2020 season, but the prospect of a backup Cowboys right tackle facing the Buccaneers is firmly in play because of what the Cowboys have called a neck stinger. Should Collins be unable to go, McCarthy said either free agent acquisition Ty Nsekhe or holdover Terence Steele would start, via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (on Twitter).
It would seem Nsekhe would receive the call, having signed to help the Cowboys at swing tackle after the team lost Collins before last season and Tyron Smith early in that disappointing campaign. Nsekhe, however, will turn 36 this season. Dallas signed the former Washington and Buffalo spot starter to a one-year, $1.75MM deal ($500K guaranteed); Steele is a second-year UDFA who graded as Pro Football Focus’ fourth-worst full-time tackle last season. Steele worked as Collins’ primary fill-in in 2020, starting 14 games.
Collins, 28, ended the 2019 season as one of the league’s top right tackles, having experienced a run of good health after missing 13 games in 2016 due to a toe malady. The Cowboys have given Collins two extensions, the most recent being a five-year, $50MM re-up in 2019. With Smith having not surpassed 13 games played since the 2015 season, the Cowboys are counting on Collins to return to full strength soon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/2/21
Here are Thursday’s minor moves, with the list being updated throughout the day:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released from IR with injury settlement: DL Jamell Garcia-Williams
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LS Josh Harris
- Claimed (from Browns): OL Colby Gossett
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: WR Aaron Parker
Cincinnati Bengals
- Re-signed: WR Mike Thomas
- Placed on IR: DE Khalid Kareem
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: S A.J. Moore
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C Ryan Kelly, WR Zach Pascal, QB Carson Wentz
- Placed on IR: QB Sam Ehlinger (story), WR Dezmon Patmon
- Released from IR with injury settlement: TE Noah Togiai
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released from IR with injury settlement: LB Asmar Bial
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released from IR with injury settlement: DT Chris Okoye, OL Tyree St. Louis
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: OL Tremayne Anchrum, LB Obo Okoronkwo
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Chris Garrett
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Johnny Hekker
New England Patriots
- Released from IR with injury settlement: OL Marcus Martin
New York Giants
- Released from IR with injury settlement: WR Alex Bachman, DB Montre Hartage, TE Cole Hikutini
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed: CB Andre Chachere (from Chargers)
- Signed: DT Hassan Ridgeway
- Placed on IR: OL Jack Driscoll, TE Tyree Jackson, CB Josiah Scott
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR with injury settlement: LB Mychal Kendricks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: K Ryan Succop
- Placed on IR: G John Molchon
- Released from IR with injury settlement: RB Troymaine Pope
Tennessee Titans
- Released from IR with injury settlement: RB Brian Hill
Washington Football Team
- Released from IR with injury settlement: OT Rick Leonard
Cowboys Place DT Neville Gallimore, CB Kelvin Joseph On IR
Two young Cowboys contributors will miss at least the team’s September portion of the season. Both defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and rookie cornerback Kelvin Joseph will begin their seasons on IR.
Gallimore is recovering from a dislocated elbow, while Joseph suffered a groin injury during Dallas’ preseason finale last week. While each is expected to return this season, neither can do so before Week 4. Gallimore’s timeline lines up with that return date.
The Cowboys made Joseph one of their top additions this offseason, one in which numerous resources went to a defensive repair effort. Dallas selected Joseph 44th overall. The 20-year-old defender who played at LSU and Kentucky was unlikely to begin the season in the Cowboys’ starting lineup, but this represents a setback to start his pro career.
Dallas also placed tackle Josh Ball, wide receiver Malik Turner and tight end Sean McKeon on IR. This batch of moves will free up roster spots for a few players coming off the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list. CeeDee Lamb, safety Damontae Kazee and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins are coming off the coronavirus list Thursday.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC East
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Washington moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Dallas Cowboys
Signed to practice squad:
- OL Isaac Alarcón, DB Kyron Brown, CB Deante Burton, S Tyler Coyle, QB Ben DiNucci, DE Austin Faoliu, DT Justin Hamilton, RB JaQuan Hardy, C Braylon Jones, WR Osirus Mitchell, FB Nick Ralston, WR Brandon Smith, DE Breeland Speaks, TE Jeremy Sprinkle, S Darian Thompson
New York Giants
Placed on IR:
- WR John Ross, LB Elerson Smith
Signed:
- WR C.J. Board (Board was cut (below) before getting re-signed), LS Casey Kreiter
Claimed:
- LB Justin Hilliard (from 49ers), WR Collin Johnson (from Jaguars), LB Quincy Roche (from Steelers)
Waived:
- WR C.J. Board, LB Trent Harris, WR Dante Pettis
Signed to practice squad:
- OL Jackson Barton, OL Jake Burton, WR Matt Cole, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, TE Jake Hausmann, OL Brett Heggie, DL Willie Henry, LB Niko Lalos, DL David Moa, S Jordyn Peters, RB Sandro Platzgummer, WR David Sills, OL Kenny Wiggins, WR Damion Willis
Philadelphia Eagles
Signed to practice squad:
- S Grayland Arnold, OL Kayode Awosika, OT Le’Raven Clark, WR Travis Fulgham, WR John Hightower, RB Jordan Howard, RB Jason Huntley, CB Michael Jacquet, CB Craig James, WR KeeSean Johnson, DE Matt Leo, G Sua Opeta, OL Ross Pierschbacher, S Elijah Riley, LB JaCoby Stevens, DT Raequan Williams
Washington Football Team
Placed on IR:
Signed:
- LB David Mayo
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Peyton Barber, OL Beau Benzschawel, DE William Bradley-King, WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, C Keith Ismael, CB Danny Johnson, LB Jordan Kunaszyk, G Wes Martin, LB Jared Norris, S Jeremy Reaves, DE Bunmi Rotimi, OT David Steinmetz, C Jon Toth, DT Daniel Wise, DT Gabe Wright
Cowboys Sign RB Corey Clement
Corey Clement‘s trip around the NFC East continues. The running back is signing with the Cowboys, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter).
Clement spent the first four seasons of his career with the Eagles, seeing time in 46 games. After collecting 895 yards from scrimmage through his first two seasons in the NFL, the running back has only collected 100 yards since.
The 26-year-old joined the Giants earlier this offseason. However, he was cut by the team yesterday.
In Dallas, Clement will compete with Tony Pollard for reps behind Ezekiel Elliott. Garafolo clarifies that the veteran will be joining the team’s active roster, so he’ll likely slide into the third running back spot.
Cowboys Claim QB Will Grier
The Cowboys have claimed quarterback Will Grier off waivers (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com). Grier missed the cut in Carolina, but he’s now found a spot on Dallas’ 53-man roster.
The Cowboys now have three QBs on the roster with Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, and Grier. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Rush and Grier will stick throughout the year, but Rush will at least stay on board while Grier learns the playbook.
Grier isn’t the ex-Panthers QB that some Cowboys fans were hoping for, but he offers plenty of upside in his own right. The Panthers used a third-round choice on him in 2019 — lots of other clubs had their eyes on the West Virginia product too. To date, Grier has two games (both starts) to his credit, but they were pretty lackluster. Those rookie outings saw four interceptions, zero TDs, and a 53.8% completion rate.
Cowboys Get Down To 53
More roster cuts to pass along! The Cowboys have now gotten their roster down to 53 as well, making a slew of cuts in the process. Here are the latest cutdown day casualties out of Dallas:
Released:
- S Darian Thompson
- CB Deante Burton
- LS Jake McQuaide
- OT Eric Smith
- TE Jeremy Sprinkle
- DT Justin Hamilton
Waived:
- WR Johnnie Dixon
- WR Osirus Mitchell
- WR Reggie Davis
- WR Aaron Parker
- S Steven Parker
- RB Brenden Knox
- RB JaQuan Hardy
- S Tyler Coyle
- FB Nick Ralston
- TE Nick Eubanks
- TE Artayvious Lynn
- DE Austin Faoliu
- OT Isaac Alarcon
- C Braylon Jones
- WR Brandon Smith
- DE Ron’Dell Carter
Thompson played in 15 games with the Cowboys last year and started seven, but wasn’t able to crack the 53-man roster this time around. The safety started four games for Dallas the year before in 2019. Sprinkle flashed some potential with Washington in 2019 when he had 241 yards, but he was a non-factor in the passing game last year.
Hamilton also started a couple of games for the Cowboys last year, and the release of several significant contributors shows Mike McCarthy was serious about overhauling that side of the ball. Hardy is the undrafted rookie who has been featured on this year’s season of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks.’ He’s expected to be added to the practice squad if he clears waivers, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweets.