Blogging The Boys
A lot has happened in the last few days, leaving the Cowboys with a very current version of a 53-man roster. From cuts to injury designations to even a trade, which of Dallas’ various moves were the most surprising? And are any of them only a temporary stunner?
The Cowboys were able to get a little something for a player they were supposedly going to cut. And when we say “a little something,” it’s about as small as it gets. Dallas sent Richards and a 2028 seventh-round pick to New Orleans in exchange for the Saints’ sixth-round pick that year. So yeah, it’ll be three years before we reap the benefit of the move; the phrase “better than nothing” being stretched to its absolute limit.
In a media session just after Tuesday’s cut deadline, Brian Schottenheimer said Richards was traded because he wasn’t going to make the roster. The 2023 fifth-rounder was passed by Nathan Thomas as the team’s backup left tackle, making him vulnerable. But given Dallas’ current state at the position, it’s surprising that they wouldn’t hang on to Richards for at least a couple more weeks.
Starting LT Tyler Guyton has made great strides towards returning from a training camp knee injury, including returning to limited practice on Monday. But while he maintains that he’ll play next Thursday night in Philadelphia, the team hasn’t confirmed that. Asking Guyton to travel and play after about a month’s absence, and especially in such a crucial game, may be too much.
If Guyton is inactive for Week 1, Thomas is the starting left tackle. Richards would have been his backup based on experience and where guys have been deployed during practices and preseason games this summer. Other reserve tackles like the released Hakeem Adeniji and rookie Ajani Cornelius had been focused on the right side, backing up Terence Steele.
Now, if Guyton’s out and something happens to Thomas, the Cowboys would have to choose between sliding LG Tyler Smith over to tackle or inserting the rookie Cornelius. If they move Smith, you’d probably have T.J. Bass or Brock Hoffman stepping in at guard. It’s hardly ideal to have so many moving parts, but that’s the risk Dallas could be running without Richards. Hopefully, the fact that they were willing to do it is a sign that they’re confident in Guyton’s return.
This one was a head-scratcher, but perhaps only for a short time. After a reportedly strong spring and summer in practices, the fifth-year veteran was part of the final cuts. But Mukuamu is not subject to waivers, so this could just be a short-term move as they’ll soon move Caelen Carson to injured reserve.
Dallas has a few cut veterans expected to get reemployed soon. Special teamer C.J. Goodwin is one of them, as usual, as is OT Hakeem Adeniji. The Cowboys are expected to place Carson and RB Phil Mafah on IR shortly, making them eligible to return...
