ARLINGTON, Texas — James Houston is inactive for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium, a week after playing in the season opener. Tyrus Wheat takes the roster spot and dresses for the first time this season.
Houston carried no injury designation into the weekend. He was limited on Wednesday with a shoulder injury and practiced in full on Thursday and Friday.
James Houston Played 10 Defensive Snaps Against The New York Giants
Marist Liufau fractured his forearm in the preseason finale and went on injured reserve with a return designation on Aug. 30, leaving Dallas with four edge rushers in the rotation.
Houston was on the field for 20 snaps in the 28-20 loss at the New York Giants, split evenly between defense and special teams. His 10 defensive snaps were the fewest in the room, behind Donovan Ezeiruaku at 41, Rashan Gary at 40, rookie Malachi Lawrence at 30, and Von Miller at 11.
Miller did not record a tackle or a pressure in his first game as a Cowboy.
Detroit took Houston in the sixth round in 2022, 217th overall. He had 8 sacks in 7 games as a rookie. He has 56 tackles and 14.5 sacks in his career. Dallas signed him on July 22, 2025.
Tyrus Wheat Returned To The Dallas Cowboys In March On A One-Year Deal
Wheat is in his second stint with the team. He signed on March 11, a day before Dallas traded for Gary.
The first stint ran two seasons. Wheat played 20 games in 2023 and 2024 with 17 tackles and half a sack, logging 243 special teams snaps and 196 on defense. Dallas waived him on Aug. 26, 2025, and the Detroit Lions claimed him the next day.
Wheat appeared in 15 games for Detroit last season and set career highs with 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He added a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Most of the work came in the kicking game, where he played 215 snaps against 66 on defense.
Houston is one of seven Cowboys inactives. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker are the only two who were ruled out on the injury report.
Dallas is 0-1 after the 28-20 loss to the Giants. Kickoff against Washington is set for 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.
