Tuesday afternoon it sounded as if the Dallas Cowboys signed a familiar face to the practice squad.
Early Wednesday afternoon told a different story.
Michael Gehlken and Jane Slater both Cowboys reporters said that Collins has visited both Buffalo and Dallas and is still sorting through interest before finalizing a decision.
“We’re still working through a bunch of stuff.” Coach Mike McCarthy indicated he expects clarity on the situation’s direction by Thursday.
Collins started 71 games for the Cowboys primarily at right tackle, from 2015-2021.
They signed Collins to a five-year, $50 million extension before the 2019 season.
His tenure ended when Collins served a five-game suspension for bribing an NFL drug test collect in the 2021 season.
Dallas released him in March of 2022.
He most recently spent 2022 with the Bengals.
Collins had been on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list due to a knee injury late in 2022.
Why he would come back
This a low-risk, high-reward type thing for Dallas as they make their playoff push.
Collins could join the team at a time when Terence Steele has struggled.
Tyler Smith & Tyron Smith have been banged up, so adding depth is always a good thing.
He has protected Dak Prescott before and was a part of the last few playoff teams.
Dallas can capture the NFC East title with a win on Sunday against the Commanders.
I think we all remember what happened last year… Don’t let it happen again!
I haven’t seen Collins play much at all since he left the Cowboys, but from the looks and sounds on Twitter, people closer to the team seem perfectly fine with it.
It’s a high-reward, low-risk type of thing.
He hasn’t played a single snap this season and was cut in September.
It’s not a surefire thing that he can play to the level that the team would need him to though, but people close to the team say he looked really good during his workout.
Tyler Smith suffered a torn plantar fascia this past weekend.
It sounds like a full tear is better than a partial, and even if he missed this week’s game, should be good to go for the playoffs.
The jury is still out on Collins, but what we’ve seen when the main starting guys aren’t out there, it can’t get any worse.
Collins knows most of the guys on the team, he’s good friends with Prescott, and when at his best, can play a pro bowl level.
Rushing attack
One more thing I wanted to touch on real quick is how AWFUL the Dallas running game is.
Tony Pollard has had only one game over 100 yards this season.
They are going to need to figure this out come playoff time.
Something has to give. I’m not sure if it’s the scheme, run blocking, or what, but wow it’s hard to watch.
Dalvin Cook was just released by the Jets, he has to clear waivers, but I don’t think the Cowboys will land him.
I still think Pollard is a solid back, but seems to be better as a change-of-pace type guy, ya know?
Rico Dowdle was inactive last week but has shown his hard-running ability when given the chance.
Pollard got booed at home against the Lions after he dropped a pass over the middle that very well could have gone for six.
Seems like he’s lost his confidence, but can get it back Sunday and have it going into the playoffs.