Cowboys’ latest injury update could force them to make a tough decision ahead of Week 8 matchup vs. Broncos

The Dallas Cowboys have some good news headed their way but they might need to cut someone.

Mauricio Rodriguez — Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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Oct 12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks on before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
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It’s been a busy few weeks for the Dallas Cowboys on the roster management side as players return from injury. Ahead of Sunday’s Week 8 matchup versus the Denver Broncos, the front office placed backup lineman Trevor Keegan on Injured Reserve to activate WR Jonathan Mingo.

Last week, CB Caelen Carson made his 2025 season debut, while WR Jalen Cropper was waived and re-signed to the practice squad. Those are relatively easy decisions, but now the Cowboys could be facing a more complicated one. That’s because there’s a chance starting center Cooper Beebe is activated to the 53-man roster this week, in which case, Dallas would need to open another roster spot. This time, I’m not sure there’s a clear answer to what they would do.

Keegan and Cropper were “easy” to move off the 53, but barring any injuries, the Cowboys have no clear player to cut or place on IR right now. Only Trevon Diggs and Donovan Wilson missed Wednesday’s practice, and neither is dealing with a long-term injury. That could mean the Cowboys need to cut someone to open a roster spot for Beebe.

Cut candidates to open a spot for Beebe

  • DB Alijah Clark: I’m adding him to the list because he fits Cropper’s profile of being a practice squad player early in the season, later promoted to the roster. But without Malik Hooker around and Juanyeh Thomas still on the injury report (migraine), he’s a long shot to be waived.
  • DE Marshawn Kneeland: I wonder if Kneeland is an IR candidate as he continues to deal with his ankle injury. He missed Weeks 5 and 7, and he doesn’t play an indispensable role on defense, with only a 38% snap count in his games played. Though the Cowboys lack a high-end DE, they have depth at the position.
  • LB Damone Clark: The Cowboys appear to be settling on Shemar James to start at linebacker alongside Kenneth Murray while they wait for DeMarvion Overshown’s return. Clark has two defensive snaps in the last three weeks, and though he’s carved out a role on special teams, his spot could be in danger.
  • OL Hakeem Adeniji: The veteran lineman filled in for Tyler Smith back in Week 3. He would be a surprise release, but maybe the Cowboys feel like they’ve seen enough from T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman to be comfortable moving on from Adeniji. If they want to keep their roster numbers relatively intact with Beebe’s return, Adenjii could make more sense to move on from than rookie Ajani Cornelius, who is subject to the waiver wire.

All of the above Cowboys would be tough to move off the roster. But what is clear is that if Beebe is ready to go, that’s what matters most. I look forward to seeing what the team’s decision-making looks like by the end of the week.

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