Author's note: The Dallas Cowboys actually have 86 players on their roster. However, International Player Isaac Alarcón has a roster exemption, which keeps the Cowboys at the 85-player limit. 

The Dallas Cowboys and the rest of the NFL are handling preseason cuts differently this season. Instead of going from 90 players to 53, the league set three days for cuts. Starting this Tuesday, in which teams had to trim down their rosters from 90 players to 85.

Keep in mind, actual cuts aren't the only way to lower the number of players on the roster. For example, teams can "protect" certain players by sending them to Injured Reserve. However, any player sent to the Injured Reserve now isn't eligible to return to the roster in 2021.

Here are the three important dates for the NFL cutdown process, including this week:

• August 17th: From 90 players to 85.
• August 24th: From 85 players to 80.
• August 31st: From 80 players to the final 53.

Here are the Dallas Cowboys moves from Tuesday in order to get to 85 players on the roster.

CB Reggie Robinson sent to Injured Reserve

The Dallas Cowboys 2020 fourth-round draft pick was back at cornerback as he competed for a roster spot in 2021. However, Maurice Canady's strong training camp shook things up in the cornerback room. Robinson was clearly one of the most impacted.

Cowboys placed CB Reggie Robinson on injured reserve, sources said. He exited last week’s preseason game vs. Cardinals with turf toe. Had pushed through injury in training camp while showing potential. The 2020 fourth-round pick now has chance to recover, compete again in 2022.

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 17, 2021

Robinson is an interesting prospect, but it's hard to overcome an injury in the position he is right now. The Cowboys "protect" one of their prospects and Robinson will be back in the roster battle next year.

FB Sewo Olonilua placed on Injured Reserve

Olonilua could've made the strong case of carrying a fullback on the 53-man roster, but a neck injury complicated things despite an impressive camp. The Cowboys will likely keep Rico Dowdle as their third tailback with no full-time fullback.

CB Kyron Brown released

Brown was signed by the Dallas Cowboys late in the offseason and was perceived by many as a camp body with potential upside. Injuries have been a big factor in Brown's career, though. Without a strong camp, he didn't stand much of a chance in a contested CB group that could carry up to seven players.

WR Brennan Eagles released

Simi Fehoko and Malik Turner are the main players to watch in the Cowboys battle at wide receiver, but there are a lot of interesting prospects beyond them, including Eagles. However, he hasn't gotten much playing time. The Cowboys were expected to let at least one WR go in this initial cut. More are likely to follow next Tuesday.

Anthony Hines placed on waived/injured list 

Placing a player on the waived/injured list basically means the player has to go through waivers before the team can place him on their injured reserve. Such is the case for Cowboys LB Anthony Hines, who wasn't really competing for a roster spot. Hopefully, the Cowboys can stash him once he clears waivers.

Featured image via James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys