The Dallas Cowboys have made a roster move leading up to the Cardinals game that many likely didn't expect.
As first reported by Dallascowboys.com writer Patrik “No C” Walker, the Dallas Cowboys have officially released veteran RB Ronald Jones.
Ronald Jones has been released by the #Cowboys.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) September 18, 2023
If you've been paying attention, this move shouldn't come as such a shock.
Jones' spot on the roster was already speculated to be in jeopardy during training camp.
He didn't do himself any favors by testing positive for PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) during a random test administered way back in the beginning of August.
Jones appealed the positive test but was given a suspension of two games to serve before being allowed to join in on team activities.
As of Monday morning, that suspension was fully carried out, and Jones was free to return to team facilities.
In what capacity that would be in was left to speculation.
Little did we know that he was no longer in the Cowboys' plans at all.
Jones' Cowboys career will be defined by nothing more than a line on the NFL transaction wire for the offseason of 2023.
What Does This Mean For Ronald Jones?
For Jones, it just means he is now a free agent.
He is a veteran of more than four accrued seasons, so he is not subject to waivers.
Jones can take his $152,500 signing bonus Dallas gave him, and sign with any team he pleases, as long as the NFL team from that city reciprocates interest.
At the end of the day, Jones ended up being just a camp body for the Cowboys, and at least he can hang his helmet on the fact that he stayed in shape for any other possible suitors.
What Does This Mean For Dallas?
In short, it only means they flushed Jones' signing bonus down the toilet.
Aside from that, the Cowboys will not be affected by this.
The writing was on the wall as early as training camp and only got bolder after Jones' positive PED test was made public.
As Dallas Morning News writer Michael Gehlken pointed out, there was just no room left for Jones on the depth chart.
Cowboys RB Ronald Jones (suspension) can return today to active roster. That does not mean he will. Team already has four RBs on 53-man roster, and it makes no sense to expose a young back to waivers. Mike McCarthy: “We haven't discussed the direction we're going.”
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 18, 2023
Head Coach Mike McCarthy hinted towards this result by saying, “We haven't discussed the direction we're going.”
If they hadn't discussed what was going to happen before the suspension was carried out, that could only mean there was just one option, and McCarthy couldn't reveal that yet.
Not half an hour after that comment, the news broke that Jones was being released.
Truth be told, there really isn't room for Jones in the running back room after young players have stepped up and carved out roles for themselves.
Oft-injured Rico Dowdle is fully healthy for the first time in his career and cemented himself as the primary relief to Tony Pollard.
Dowdle has quietly churned out 13 carries for 50 yards in two games, and threw in one reception for 17 yards.
Behind him in snaps is rookie and fan favorite Deuce Vaughn.
Vaughn, a 6th-round selection, has chipped in nine rushes for 24 yards and three receptions for 16 yards in limited work.
Jones cost the Cowboys $302,000 to sign, but they will end up saving $685,000 towards this season's salary cap.
