The Dallas Cowboys have finalized their initial 53-man roster for the 2026 season, trimming from 91 players after a training camp filled with intense competition.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged the difficulty of the decisions, emphasizing that Dallas has built a “deeper, better, more talented football team“. Here is the complete position-by-position breakdown of the Dallas Cowboys roster as it stands.
| Position Group | Projected Starters | Reserves / Backups |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Dak Prescott | Sam Howell, Joe Milton III |
| Running Back | Javonte Williams | Malik Davis, Hunter Luepke (FB) |
| Wide Receiver | CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy | KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Camden Brown |
| Tight End | Jake Ferguson | Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker |
| Offensive Line | Tyler Guyton (LT), Tyler Smith (LG), Cooper Beebe (C), Tyler Booker (RG), Terence Steele (RT) | T.J. Bass, Broderick Jones, Ajani Cornelius, Drew Shelton |
| Defensive Tackle | Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark | Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard, LT Overton |
| Edge Rusher | Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku | Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence, James Houston, Tyrus Wheat |
| Linebacker | DeMarvion Overshown | Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, Shemar James |
| Cornerback | DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant | Shavon Revel Jr., Ameer Speed, Caelen Carson |
| Safety | Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson | Caleb Downs, PJ Locke, Markquese Bell, Alijah Clark |
| Special Teams | Brandon Aubrey (K) | Bryan Anger (P), Trent Sieg (LS) |
| Injured Reserve | Marist Liufau (LB), Devin Moore (CB) – Designated to return | |
| Updated: Cowboys’ initial 53-man roster as of September 1, 2026. This report is subject to waiver claims and practice squad elevations. We will keep this report updated. | ||
Quarterback: The battle for backup QB continues between Joe Milton III and Sam Howell
The Cowboys roster initially featured three quarterbacks: starter Dak Prescott, Joe Milton, and Sam Howell.
The backup battle between Milton and Howell was one of the camp’s closest competitions. However, in a late surprise move, the Cowboys released Milton on August 31, opting to keep just two quarterbacks on the active roster. Howell secured the QB2 role behind Prescott.
What's New
Running back: a shocking Jaydon Blue cut and a quick addition
One of the most surprising developments for the Dallas Cowboys roster was the decision to waive second-year back Jaydon Blue, who had been expected to contribute significantly. The team also parted ways with Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda.
The initial group consisted of Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, and fullback Hunter Luepke. However, Dallas quickly added depth by claiming running back Emari Demercado off waivers. Demercado, who previously worked with offensive coordinator Klayton Adams in Arizona, is expected to slot in as the RB3.
Wide receiver: Rookie sensation Camden Brown makes the cut
The Cowboys roster at wide receiver is loaded with playmakers. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens lead a group that also includes Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, and undrafted rookie Camden Brown.
source on Google Go here and check the box
next to Cowboys.news
(Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images)
Brown was the feel-good story of camp, recording six catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason. The Cowboys decided they couldn’t risk exposing him to waivers, securing his spot on the 53-man roster.
Tight ends and offensive line
Jake Ferguson returns as the starter at tight end, backed by Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker. Michael Trigg, a standout in the offseason, was a surprising cut.
On the offensive line, the Cowboys traded for former first-round pick Broderick Jones and sent Nate Thomas to Houston. The line features Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, and Terence Steele.
Cowboys defense: New faces and tough decisions
The defensive side of the Dallas Cowboys roster features a revamped front seven. Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark anchor the defensive tackle group, while Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and veteran Von Miller lead the edge rushers. Perhaps the most notable cut was Sam Williams, a 2022 second-round pick.
At linebacker, DeMarvion Overshown heads a group that also includes Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, and Shemar James. The secondary features DaRon Bland and Cobie Durant at cornerback, with Caleb Downs and Malik Hooker at safety.
This (initial) Cowboys roster for 2026 reflects a franchise confident in its depth. While some tough cuts were made, including fan favorites like Jaydon Blue and Sam Williams, the team has positioned itself with a strong mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent. As Schottenheimer noted, this roster is built to contend.
With the regular season opener against the New York Giants approaching, all eyes will be on how this Cowboys roster performs when the games count.
