FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys waived 28 players and released 7 on Sunday to reach the 53-man limit, the team announced.
The seven releases were vested veterans, who reach free agency immediately. The 28 waived players have fewer than four accrued seasons and go on the wire, with claims across the league due at noon CT Monday.
Outside linebacker Sam Williams was among the releases. Dallas took Williams 56th overall out of Ole Miss in 2022, and he spent four seasons with the team wearing No. 54. He has 85 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries in his career.
Center Nick Leverett was also released. Several 53-man projections published in the past two weeks, including one from Blogging The Boys, had Leverett on the roster. Dallas kept 9 offensive linemen and traded Nathan Thomas to the Houston Texans on Saturday.
Cornerback Derion Kendrick, receiver Tyler Johnson, receiver Denzel Mims, receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and outside linebacker Curtis Robinson round out the release list. Valdes-Scantling signed in Dallas on April 27 and is a two-time Super Bowl champion in his eighth season.
Jordan Hudson Was Waived With A College Return Available
Receiver Jordan Hudson was among the 28. A Dallas judge restored Hudson’s NCAA eligibility this month, opening a path back to college football. He must clear waivers first.
Safety Julius Wood was also waived. Dallas signed Wood out of East Carolina as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Seventh-round receiver Anthony Smith, also out of East Carolina, was waived Sunday as well.
Cornerback Reddy Steward was waived. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer had singled out Steward’s versatility during training camp. Safety Zion Childress was waived a year after making the initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie. Tight end Michael Trigg was waived after a toe injury slowed him in camp.
Three Picks From The 2025 Draft Class Were Waived
Defensive tackle Jay Toia went 217th overall out of UCLA and played 5 games last season. Running back Phil Mafah went 239th out of Clemson, played 1 game, rushed 5 times for 18 yards and a touchdown, and caught 2 passes for 11 yards. Running back Jaydon Blue, the 149th pick out of Texas, was also waived.
Five picks from that nine-man class are on the 53: Tyler Booker, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Shavon Revel, Shemar James, and Ajani Cornelius.
Four Running Backs And Four Defensive Tackles Were Waived
Along with Blue and Mafah, Dallas waived Israel Abanikanda and Jashaun Corbin, leaving Malik Davis, Javonte Williams, and fullback Hunter Luepke.
Along with Toia, Dallas waived defensive tackles Tommy Dunn, Dayo Odeleye, and DJ Withers. The Cowboys kept 5 defensive linemen.
Six receivers came off the roster in all. Hudson, Anthony Smith, and Jaden Smith were waived. Tyler Johnson, Mims, and Valdes-Scantling were released.
Every Dallas Cowboys Move On Sunday
Waived (28): RB Israel Abanikanda, LB Justin Barron, RB Jaydon Blue, CB Trikweze Bridges, CB Josh Butler, S Zion Childress, RB Jashaun Corbin, DT Tommy Dunn, G Chris Glaser, T Sebastian Gutierrez, WR Jordan Hudson, T Marcellus Johnson, G Trevor Keegan, TE Zack Kuntz, LB Isaiah Land, RB Phil Mafah, DT Dayo Odeleye, LB Langston Patterson, T Shiyazh Pete, WR Anthony Smith, WR Jaden Smith, CB Reddy Steward, DT Jay Toia, TE Michael Trigg, TE Mitch Van Vooren, G DJ Wingfield, DT DJ Withers, S Julius Wood
Released (7): WR Tyler Johnson, CB Derion Kendrick, C Nick Leverett, WR Denzel Mims, OLB Curtis Robinson, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, OLB Sam Williams
Separately, outside linebacker Marist Liufau and cornerback Devin Moore were placed on Reserve/Injured-Designated for Return, and tight end DJ Rogers was waived/injured.
