FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys placed defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard and safety Jalen Thompson on injured reserve Wednesday and promoted defensive lineman Elijah Garcia from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
Dallas also signed cornerbacks Alex Austin and Tyrek Funderburk to the practice squad and brought back safety Juanyeh Thomas on a practice squad deal. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer announced the moves before Wednesday’s practice, one day after the team held a workout for free agents.
Bullard and Thompson were both hurt in Sunday’s 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro. Schottenheimer said Tuesday that Bullard’s calf strain would probably cost him a couple of weeks and that Thompson’s hamstring injury would keep him out at least four, making injured reserve likely for the safety. Owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan that Bullard would miss three to five weeks, the Cowboys’ official site reported.
Elijah Garcia Joins Cowboys’ 53-Man Roster
The workout produced the two cornerback signings. Schottenheimer said Tuesday that Dallas needed bodies, especially on defense.
“No, we have those every Tuesday anyway. Monday and Tuesday we always talk personnel because you have to know how you’re going to rotate guys for the game, who’s going to be up, who’s inactive, and what elevations there will be,” Schottenheimer said. “We had a workout today that we could potentially sign a few guys from, and we need a few bodies because we’re pretty beat up, certainly on defense.”
Garcia’s hands, lower-body strength, and motor stood out on film when Dallas signed him to the practice squad, Schottenheimer said Wednesday. He called Garcia a veteran who already understands the system.
“Yeah, you see him play with his hands really, really well. He understands the system, but this is a guy that’s got really good fundamentals, good lower-body strength, and I like his motor,” Schottenheimer said. “Those are things that, when we were watching the film, we felt really good about adding him to the roster. This is a unique thing for us, that we got so beat up so early, but next man up, and he’ll be ready to go. He’s a veteran guy that understands.”
Tyler Smith Leads List Of Cowboys Who Could Return For Tampa Bay
Bullard signed with Dallas in the offseason and had two tackles and half a sack through two games before the Rio injury. Thompson joins safety P.J. Locke, who went on injured reserve with a foot injury from the Week 2 win over the Washington Commanders.
Thomas spent 2022 through 2025 with Dallas after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech and signed with the Indianapolis Colts on March 16. He has 53 career tackles in 36 games, all with the Cowboys.
The roster could get help from the other direction after Sunday’s game at the Houston Texans. Schottenheimer said Tuesday that a few players become eligible to return after the Houston game and named guard Tyler Smith first.
“He’s doing great. Conditioning looks great. He’s one of those guys we’ll look at after this game who potentially could be ready to go for Tampa,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s probably at the head of the list because I know he’s ready to get back out there. He’s really good at football, and I know he’s wanting to play.”
The short week before the Thursday game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not affect Smith beyond the lack of pads, Schottenheimer said.
“No, other than we won’t be in pads. That’s the thing, but I’ve seen him in pads. He’s pretty good,” Schottenheimer said.
Dallas plays at Houston on Sunday at noon CT and hosts Tampa Bay on Thursday, Oct. 8.
