5 Cowboys players who made the roster but could get news they don’t want to hear before NFL Kickoff: Predicting the inactives
The Dallas Cowboys have tough decisions to make.
When you spend most of the calendar year wondering and stressing out about who will make up the Dallas Cowboys’ 53-man roster, the natural progression is obvious once cuts are done and games are about to be played: Who will be the 48 players that suit up?
The NFL allows only 48 players to be active on gamedays, be it players from the 53-man roster or practice squad elevations. And while the wear and tear of the regular season usually makes decisions automatic for coaching staffs thanks to injuries, tough decisions have to be made early in the season.
So below is my stab in the dark at who will be the Cowboys’ five inactive players for Week 1 versus the Philadelphia Eagles. No one wants to hear they’re not playing in Week 1 but that’s the way it goes in pro football. The official inactives will be revealed 90 minutes prior to kickoff on Thursday.
DT Perrion Winfrey
Winfrey is the easiest prediction here because a back injury has kept him out of practice for the first two days of the week. Though I expect the preseason camp darling to be playing frequently this season, I would be surprised if the Cowboys force him to play through injury. Following the addition of Kenny Clark, Dallas rosters six defensive tackles. So they can get away with listing one as inactive… Or two?
DT Mazi Smith
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer claimed he told Smith nothing was guaranteed when he made the 53-man roster. Not even a spot on the gameday roster. Perhaps I’m reading too much into that one comment but Smith was also playing deep into the preseason finale, which tells you something. Clark is likely starting at nose so it comes down to Smith and rookie Jay Toia as potential backups. Now, I’m not saying Toia is better than Smith right now but do the Cowboys opt for the rookie and his size over Smith for Week 1? We’ll see.
OT Ajani Cornelius
Cornelius— got the roster spot over Hakeem Adeniji on cutdown day but that probably had more to do with the latter’s veteran status allowing him to be released as a free agent while avoiding waivers. Adeniji didn’t play in the preseason finale. The sixth-round rookie needs time and Schottenheimer’s staff is likely to give it to him.
CB Trikweze Bridges
Bridges is one of two newcomers at cornerback. As a seventh-round rookie drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, he’s a longshot to make the 53-man roster. Meanwhile, Reddy Steward—the other newcomer claimed by the Cowboys the same day as Bridges—is familiar with Matt Eberflus’ scheme after playing for him in 2024.
iOL Trevor Keegan
If you don’t know who Keegan is, I don’t blame you because was claimed off waivers by the Cowboys the same day Micah Parsons was traded. But Keegan is a solid depth piece at guard. However, I would expect Dallas to give him some time learning the scheme before activating him on gameday.
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