In a shocking development just prior to kickoff, the Dallas Cowboys are starting undrafted rookie Terence Steele at right tackle tonight against the Los Angeles Rams. With La'el Collins on injured reserve, it was expected all week that veteran Cameron Erving would be starting tonight.
The news came less than an hour before the scheduled start of Cowboys-Rams season opener from Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy on @1053thefan said that OT Terence Steele will start at right tackle for La'el Collins. Undrafted rookie gets nod in favor of Cam Erving, Brandon Knight.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 13, 2020
Erving, a former 1st-round pick, was signed in free agency this year as the presumptive swing tackle. But unless there is an undisclosed injury or illness issue here, Cam apparently has been passed on the depth chart by the rookie.
If Steele leapfrogging Erving wasn't surprising enough, this also means he's getting the start over returning backup tackle Brandon Knight. We got to see Knight last year for a couple of games when La'el Collins was injured and he played fairly well.
Steele signed with Dallas as a free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. He played out his college career at Texas Tech, earning All-Conference honors and invitations the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine along the way.
We'll see just how the rookie performs in this surprising debut. But given the experience of Dallas' other options, they must be thoroughly impressed with Terence Steele to show him this much faith.
