Cowboys FB Jamize Olawale Opts Out of 2020 Season Under COVID-19 Policy

The Dallas Cowboys have lost their third player under the NFL COVID-19 policy’s opt-out clause. It was just announced that veteran Fullback Jamize Olawale will sit out this season.

Olawale is in the second season of the three-year deal he signed with Dallas in 2019. He’s primarily been their fullback and a key special teams player since joining the Cowboys in 2018, but also served as an emergency third RB last season.

Jamize Olawale joins CB Maurice Canady and rookie WR Stephen Guidry as Cowboys players to opt out of 2020 season. https://t.co/FoLdHGRExz

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 2, 2020

While Canady was a strong candidate to make the team at cornerback, Olawale is the first Cowboy who was a virtual lock for the roster to exercise the COVID-19 opt out. He may not be the last, though, as the deadline is reportedly being set for this Tuesday or Wednesday.

Dallas has one other fullback on the roster currently; undrafted rookie Sewo Olonilua out of TCU. While this is nice for his roster chances, the Cowboys could go many other ways with the roster spot. Some NFL teams don’t employ a fullback at all, instead playing mostly single-back formations or using tight ends as lead blockers out of the backfield.

However, new head coach Mike McCarthy has a great history with the FB position. Many were excited to see how he might take advantage of Jamize Olawale’s offensive skills in ways that the last coaching staff failed to.

But if Olawale plays again for Dallas it won’t be until 2021. His contract is essentially frozen in time, minus a small advance on his 2021 salary, and he will resume it next year unless the Cowboys choose to release him next offseason.