The Cowboys made a flurry of roster moves on Saturday, including the activation of rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland and veteran offensive tackle Chuma Edoga from injured reserve, per a team announcement.
Kneeland, the 56th overall pick in April’s draft, was designated for return on Wednesday after recovering from surgery on a partially torn lateral meniscus. Edoga has been ramping up in practice for a few weeks after a preseason toe injury sidelined him for the Cowboys’ first 10 games.
Neither player is expected to start for the Cowboys on Sunday, but they will provide depth on the edge of the trenches on either side of the ball. Kneeland is still hunting for his first career sack at defensive end, while Edoga is likely to serve as a swing tackle behind Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele.
To make room on their 53-man roster, the Cowboys placed safety Markquese Bell on injured reserve and waived defensive end K.J. Henry. Bell had to undergo shoulder surgery after a Week 11 injury, while Henry became surplus to requirements with Kneeland’s return.
The Cowboys also ruled out All-Pro guard Zack Martin with 2023 undrafted free agent T.J. Bass likely starting in his place. Dallas is also swapping out one All-Pro cornerback for another with Trevon Diggs ruled out and DaRon Bland expected to make his season debut after recovering from a setback from his foot surgery. Bland has played just two games with Diggs over the last two seasons, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota, and he will be the sixth different starting outside cornerback for Dallas this year, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News.
Injuries have been a constant issue for the Cowboys this season. On Sunday, the team’s top-five 2024 salary cap hits – totaling more than $100M – will all be sidelined, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. That list includes Martin and Diggs, along with Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Brandin Cooks, who all remain on injured reserve. Prescott is out for the season, while Lawrence is still rehabbing from a Lisfranc injury. Dallas declined to activate Cooks from injured reserve after he was designated for return earlier this week and progressing towards a return to the field.
