Last year, rookie fullback Hunter Luepke was involved in a goal line fumble on a bad exchange between him and Dak Prescott in Miami.
Luepke never touched the football again over the last two games of the 2024 regular season. He was a non-factor in the playoff game loss to Green Bay.
There was some doubt if Luepke would be on the final roster at the end of training camp prior to this season.
Enter Ryan Flournoy, a rookie wide receiver, and the sixth-round pick from SE Missouri State. Due to Brandin Cooks’ knee injury, Flournoy has seen some action the last two weeks.
Against the Steelers two Sundays ago, did get 10 offensive snaps and another 15 on special teams in his first NFL game, but was never targeted by Prescott.
He drew one target in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Lions.
It might be the last target he gets if Luepke’s example is the norm for Mike McCarthy.
Flournoy caught the target for a 12-yard gain. He promptly fumbled the ball, and the Lions pounced on it for the turnover.
In a 47-9 rout, you can’t say the miscue impacted the outcome of the game.
But rookies needs to take advantage of their opportunities when they present themselves to help them stand out to their coaches.
Fumbling the ball when you finally get a touch? That’s a sure way to secure a permanent place on the bench.
The one thing Flournoy can hold on to is that Luepke made the cut this year and has had multiple touches.
Here’s how the other rookies fared.
Tyler Guyton
The first-round pick out of Oklahoma, Guyton, had started at left tackle the first five games of the season. On Sunday, he never saw the field.
Guyton’s fall from grace began when he was injured during the Steelers’ victory.
After he left the game, Tyler Smith moved to left tackle and the Cowboys’ running game suddenly found life.
It remains to be seen if Guyton can regain his starting job after the bye week. Either way, it was a huge setback for the player Dallas thought was a sure bet to replace the future Hall of Famer, Tyron Smith.
Marshawn Kneeland
The Cowboys’ second-round pick, Kneeland, partially tore his lateral meniscus in the win over Pittsburgh and is officially on IR.
The good news is that he did not tear his ACL. That injury would have ended his season. Kneeland will likely be out until late November.
Cooper Beebe
The third-round pick from Kansas State, Cooper Beebe, is claiming the best pick of the Cowboys’ 2024 Draft as the team hits the one-third mark of the season.
Beebe has been everything the Cowboys could ask for, starting at center in all six games. Beebe has taken all 413 offensive snaps at center.
He’s only drawn two penalties all year, an ineligible player downfield and a holding call.
Marist Liufau
The third-round pick from Notre Dame, Marist Liufau, got his third start of the season but only saw 28 plays, just 41% of the total defensive snaps, against the Lions.
Liufau finished with two tackles. Just one was a solo tackle.
Caelen Carson
The fifth-round pick from Wake Forest, Caelen Carson, was inactive for Sunday’s game. It was the third straight game Carson has missed.
He continues to recover from a shoulder injury suffered two weeks ago against the Ravens.
Nathan Thomas
Offensive Tackle Nathan Thomas, the seventh round pick out of Louisiana, is on injured reserve.
But at least he is still in the organization. His fellow seventh round pick, Justin Rogers, was cut before the season began and is now on the Bengals’ practice squad.
The Undrafted
Tight End Brevyn Spann-Ford, out of Minnesota, saw 13 offensive snaps on Sunday but was never targeted. He also put in 10 snaps on special teams.
The other three undrafted rookies are currently on the practice squad.
Safety Emany Johnson, Defensive Tackle Denzel Daxon, and linebacker Brock Mogensen will likely remain there until an injury necessitates a call up.