The Dallas Cowboys, with one regular-season game left, are already looking ahead to the NFL playoffs. In preparation, the Cowboys have expanded their practice squad by signing four players, including former starting linebacker Damien Wilson. The other additions to the team are offensive lineman La’el Collins, receiver Racey McMath, and running back SaRodorick Thompson.
Guess who’s back?
La’el Collins and Damien Wilson are on the #Cowboys practice field for the first time since 2021 and 2018, respectively. pic.twitter.com/dWJz8lhlEp
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) January 4, 2024
The signings of Collins and Wilson are particularly noteworthy, as both players have previously started for the Cowboys. Damien Wilson, a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft, spent four seasons with Dallas, making 64 appearances, including 22 starts. Wilson then joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 2019, where he played a crucial role as the starting middle linebacker during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning 2019 season. After two seasons with the Chiefs, Wilson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, starting all 17 games. In 2022, he played in all 17 games for the Carolina Panthers, including five starts.
Wilson’s career took a detour due to off-field issues, resulting in a four-week suspension by the NFL in November for violating the personal conduct policy. Despite not having played an NFL snap this season, the Cowboys are adding Wilson to bolster their linebacker corps, especially since they lost starter Leighton Vander Esch for the season and recently released Rashaan Evans.
The move to bring back Wilson is seen as a strategic decision, providing depth and mentoring to the current linebackers, including Damone Clark and Markquese Bell. Wilson’s potential impact on special teams is also emphasized, given his extensive experience in that area during his previous stint with the Cowboys and his contributions to the Panthers in 2022.
With reports of Dalvin Cook signing with the Baltimore Ravens, fans might be a little upset. HOWEVER…#Cowboys Rico Dowdle vs Dalvin Cook:
🏈 Dowdle:
– 80 att, 315 yds, 2 TDs, 0 fum
– 3.9 yds per carry
– 231 yds after contact
– 6 rushes for 10+ yds
– 61.4 yds elusive rating… pic.twitter.com/K6ZcO80VhU— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) January 4, 2024
Patrik Walker, writing for DallasCowboys.com, outlined the expectations for Wilson’s return, emphasizing his role in the transformed linebackers’ room. The departure of Rashaan Evans, the only other true linebacker on the active roster aside from Damone Clark, creates a need for Wilson to provide both depth and guidance to the younger players.
The Cowboys had also been linked to four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, but he ultimately chose to sign with the Baltimore Ravens over Dallas. Despite the interest in Cook, the Cowboys secured the services of SaRodorick Thompson as a running back addition to their practice squad.
In summary, the Cowboys are making strategic moves ahead of the NFL playoffs, re-signing former starting linebacker Damien Wilson to address their linebacker depth. Wilson’s potential impact on special teams and his mentoring role are key aspects of the team’s strategy. Additionally, the Cowboys were in the running for running back Dalvin Cook but lost out to the Baltimore Ravens.
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