Cowboys cut projected starter ahead of initial roster deadline
The Dallas Cowboys released kicker Brett Maher ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline to have the roster at 53 players. Even after the cut, Maher is expected to be the Cowboys' Week 1 starting Kicker. This is a creative way to save some spots for the initial roster in order to execute Injured Reserve moves. […]
The Dallas Cowboys released kicker Brett Maher ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline to have the roster at 53 players. Even after the cut, Maher is expected to be the Cowboys' Week 1 starting Kicker.
This is a creative way to save some spots for the initial roster in order to execute Injured Reserve moves. For players to be eligible to return from IR later in the season, they must make the initial roster. That means Tyron Smith, for instance, will make the 53 before being placed on IR.
As Michael Gehlken from the Dallas Morning News points out, Maher doesn't even have to be on the roster to play in Week 1. Instead, the Cowboys can get him on the practice squad and elevate him for gameday. Since 2020, NFL teams have been given the ability to elevate up to two players from the practice squad to the active roster. Teams can do this up to two times per player without risking them to the waiver wire.
The Cowboys should keep an eye out on cuts around the league, however. Even if Maher is the plan, the front office should monitor available kickers around the league. I've written about how Dallas should be targeting whoever loses the battle in Tampa Bay, for instance.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles said that Succop "probably" won the job, which means the 24-year-old from Venezuela could be available very soon. A former Lou Groza Award winner and a former First-Team All-ACC player, Borregales is an enticing proposition.
But he's only one example of what the Cowboys should be looking for. Of course, they "like their guys," though. So Maher is the clear-cut favorite for the job in Week 1 and probably beyond.
The Cowboys also cut long snapper Jake McQuaide and specialist CJ Goodwin, although both are also expected to return for Week 1.
Keep track of all the Cowboys cuts here.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
