ARLINGTON, Texas — Jerry Jones said the Dallas Cowboys will study what the rest of the league is about to release, and that they are not done adding.
“These could be some critical days here as we look at our roster, look at all the other rosters,” Jones said. “Right now everybody around the league, the other 31 teams are seeing if they can improve it. We’ll be looking at that very, very aggressively.”
Every team must have 53 players by 5 p.m. CT on Sunday. Waiver claims are processed starting at noon CT on Monday. Players with fewer than four accrued seasons are placed on waivers, and teams can claim their contracts based on last season’s standings, with the lowest-ranked teams claiming first. Players with four or more accrued seasons become free agents immediately.
“And so we’ve got room to improve,” Jones said. “I mean, we’ve got time to improve for opening day.”
A Year Ago Jerry Jones Traded Micah Parsons In This Window
Dallas traded Micah Parsons to Green Bay on Aug. 28, 2025, one year to the day before Friday’s preseason finale. The Cowboys got first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 and a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle. Parsons signed a four-year, $188 million contract in Green Bay, the largest ever for a non-quarterback.
Von Miller signed a one-year contract on Aug. 17, and Dallas waived Traeshon Holden to clear the spot. Holden is an undrafted receiver out of Oregon who spent last season on the Cowboys practice squad.
Rashan Gary arrived in March. Dallas sent Green Bay a 2027 fourth-round pick for him. He is owed $18 million this season, none of it guaranteed.
Where The Dallas Cowboys Have Room
On Aug. 22, Dallas lined up two tight ends against Arizona. Two days later, they signed Mitch Van Vooren, who was released by New England six days prior. To create space, the team waived an injured defensive tackle. Van Vooren, undrafted in 2025 from Division III St. Norbert, had been with Seattle, Cleveland, and New England but hadn’t appeared in a regular-season game. On Friday, he caught a 21-yard touchdown pass that helped set up Sam Howell‘s game-tying 2-point conversion.
Marist Liufau fractured his forearm in the first quarter and could have surgery as early as Monday. He led the Cowboys in special teams snaps last season and was one of two players on the roster to clear 70% of the special teams work.
Dallas finished the preseason 2-1 after Friday’s 27-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The opener at the New York Giants is Sept. 13 at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
