The Dallas Cowboys did some roster churning today, signing free agent Safety Dominick Sanders and Defensive Tackle Caraun Reid. Both positions have been in question as of late due to injuries.
To make room for them on the 90-man preseason roster, Dallas waived DT Richard Ash and placed S Jameil Showers on injured reserve.
Showers appeared seriously injured when he went down on the sideline during last Saturday’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He has been a valued member of the Cowboys practice squad since 2015, switching from quarterback to safety in 2016.
Ash was on the active roster last season but had lost ground this year to the likes on Antwaun Woods and Daniel Ross. He suffered a knee injury on Saturday as well and, if he clears waivers, will remain with the Cowboys on injured reserve.
As for the newcomers, Dominick Sanders went undrafted this year but was a key part of the Georgia Bulldogs defense for four seasons. He amassed an impressive 16 interceptions over his college career.
Sanders lacks NFL size and athleticism but clearly has a nose for the ball. He was signed by the Eagles after the draft but only stayed with them a few weeks, and has remained a free agent until now.
So no, Sanders isn’t going to start Week One for Xavier Woods. He may not be here for a week if Dallas makes another move at safety. But for now, he gets a chance to compete.
As for Caraun Reid, the 26-year-old DT has been in the NFL since 2014. He was a 5th-round pick of the Detroit Lions.
Reid played two years in Detroit, starting 12 games in 2015, but didn’t make final cuts in 2016. He was claimed by the Chargers and active for seven games, but then suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
In 2017, Reid didn’t make the team in San Diego and end up back with the Lions briefly. He also was signed by Washington and Indianapolis but never dressed for a game. The Colts just released him last Saturday.
Again, this isn’t a guy who we expect to be on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster come Week One. He’s here to replace Ash, who I also didn’t have making the squad, as a preseason body. His best hope is to show enough to get on the Dallas practice squad.
