Cowboys may need to open up multiple roster spots before Panthers matchup, 3 players who could be cut
The Cowboys need roster spots if they intend for two eligible players to return.
The Dallas Cowboys may need to do some roster maneuvering before taking on the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. The reason why is WR Jonathan Mingo and CB Caelen Carson — both on Injured Reserve right now — started practicing last week, and the team has under two weeks to make a decision on their 2025 seasons.
Things look good for Carson, who has stacked multiple practices as a full participant. For Mingo, things are blurrier after he missed Thursday’s practice despite fully participating on Wednesday. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, however, revealed he didn’t suffer a setback, suggesting Mingo still has a chance to return this weekend.
“I wouldn’t say [it was] a setback, I think sometimes this is the process you go through, guys will wake up after going a day or two days and they’re a little sore,” Schottenheimer told reporters. “The health and safety is the most important thing. We’ll see how (Mingo) does today.”
To play either of them versus the Panthers, the Cowboys need to move them off of IR and place them on the 53-man roster. To do that, roster spots are needed. The question becomes which players are in danger of losing their spot on the team to make room for Mingo and Carson, who could be important contributors right away if healthy.
You never know what a coaching staff is thinking, but here are some educated guesses at players who could be in the roster bubble.
CB Trikweze Bridges
The Cowboys added Bridges via waivers after roster cuts at the beginning of the season, and his participation has been limited almost exclusively to special teams. He’s played in 41% of the Cowboys’ special teams snaps.
Though he’s been valuable in that area, Carson is an upgrade for cornerback depth and has starting upside. However, he rarely played special teams as a rookie, so Bridges might be safe.
LB Damone Clark
Perhaps the biggest name on the list, Clark is a player trending down on the Cowboys roster. He started the season as an active player on gamedays over rookie Shemar James, who has since overtaken him. In Week 4, Clark was a healthy scratch, and in Week 5, with multiple injuries, he was active but didn’t play on defense, even after Jack Sanborn was knocked out of the game.
Clark played seven snaps on special teams last weekend to James’ 14. Risking Clark to waivers might cost Dallas, but practice squad rookie Justin Barron generated buzz in the preseason and was a specialist in college.
iOL Trevor Keegan
Keegan has been active for consecutive weeks, but the Cowboys are expected to have Tyler Guyton and Tyler Smith back on Sunday. Keegan’s role on special teams and offense has been limited. If a roster spot is needed, it’s always a challenge to trim down the offensive line, but Dallas could make it work. It has multiple offensive linemen on the practice squad.
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