As news of roster cuts is rolling in from all over the NFL, you may be shocked by some of the names popping up as released or waived by the Cowboys. But before you worry that Dallas would dare go into Week One without a kicker or a backup quarterback, rest assured that some of these players aren’t really gone.
A key element in these moves is the rule that allows teams to recall players from injured reserve during the season. For a player to be eligible to return, he must be on the team’s initial 53-man roster as of today’s deadline.
A reminder: any player that is placed on IR at or prior to 4 PM ET is out for the rest of the season.
After that, players placed on IR will be eligible to return after 4 games missed.
We'll see many players make an initial 53-man roster today, then be moved to IR right after.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 30, 2022
That’s why players who stand to miss several regular-season games, such as OT Tyron Smith or WR James Washington, have not yet been placed on IR. They will be carried through the deadline on the 53-man roster but soon hit the reserve list, likely within the next 24 hours.
To facilitate this move, Dallas has had to cut some players whom they have no intention of going without this season. These are guys who weren’t subject to waivers and likely have handshake deals with the front office to not sign elsewhere, confident that they’ll resume their jobs with the Cowboys shortly.
QB Cooper Rush, K Brett Maher, LS Jake McQuaide, and special teams ace C.J. Goodwin are among the veterans who’ve been released today but won’t be gone long. Their temporary absences will allow for Smith, Washington, and others such as DT John Ridgeway or CB Kelvin Joseph to be moved to IR with the hope of still playing in 2022.
Will Grier is another who was cut but could soon return, though he’s still subject to the waiver wire with less than four accrued seasons. If he clears waivers then Grier may be QB3 on the roster or should at least have a spot on the practice squad.
Further complicating matters, potentially, are the relaxed modern rules for calling players up from the practice squad. Some players may spend Week One in that capacity and not get added to the official roster until Week 2, keeping their contracts from being fully guaranteed this season.
Given his shaky history and relatively unsecured role with the team, Brett Maher may be facing just that in the coming weeks.
Cowboys have released kicker Brett Maher for now, person familiar with situation said. Maher likely to be Week 1 kicker, but team must clear space for IR moves. Ultimately, he could start season on practice squad and be elevated for opener. Maher made 63- and 62-yard FGs in 2019. pic.twitter.com/9RdQCnBCn0
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 30, 2022
Clearly, today’s news is only the first wave of transactions and some of them are only technicalities. The Cowboys aren’t going to host the Buccaneers without a kicker, long snapper, or backup quarterback; the real 53-man roster may not be realized until later this week.
That’s why our most recent roster projection was not about today, but rather who we expected to be on the team for Week One. Be sure to check that out for a much better idea of who the Cowboys will be working with this season.
bring back grier, malik davis, linstrum, mcquade, mahar, kyron brown. cut ball mcgovern leave cooper rush gone. are you kidding me he barely one game and team was lucky on that day. I do not understand what you see. grier and dinuci even are better in every way.
Found Kyron Brown’s burner account.
I hope Brett Maher by some miracle IS NOT brought back to the team. Guy’s a joke! Can’t be counted on and certainly can’t be trusted. Good Riddance!!!
What’s the alternative?
Brett Maher STINKS!!!!!
Cameron Dicker or Michael Badgley for starters. Could’ve kept Zeurlien if Maher was the only other option.
Lawrence, how did Maher kick for the Saints last year? Do you even know?
I hope Grier is the backup over Rush!! Rush really isn’t any good!! He’s been in the NFL for around 7 years now and still hasn’t gotten any better!! He is what he is…. That’s why he wasn’t drafted!! Grier has only been in the NFL for about 3 years, so he still has more room to grow and get better!! He just needs the opportunity!! That’s why he was a 3rd round draft pick!! He has potential!!
Not sure there’s much more to tap from a 4th-year veteran anymore than one in his 7th-year. Grier never looked as good in his regular-season snaps with Carolina as Rush did last year in the Vikings game. Rush has the team’s trust and Grier didn’t do enough to take it away.
Somewhere in the United States Of America there’s a young man that can come to Dallas and consistently make PAT’s and mid-range field goals. Nobody expects anyone to make a 62 yarder at all and certainly not on a consistent basis. Fans do expect Kickers to make a 42 yarder when the game’s on the line. Maher IS NOT going to do that! He’s going to hurt the Cowboys against Tampa just wait and watch.