FRISCO, Texas — Joe Milton III was back on the practice field for the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, four days after the team waived him. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Milton took reps alongside Sam Howell and Dak Prescott.
Milton informed Schottenheimer himself that he was coming back.
“I was elated,” Schottenheimer said. “This is a guy that’s worked his butt off to be where he is and to develop the way he’s developed. And the talent is so rare. I think when you’re waived, or I’ve been fired many times, you kind of, you’re in shock a little bit. And then I think you kind of step back and you’re like, okay, didn’t expect this, didn’t see this coming, but the more you think about it you start figuring out the positives and negatives of this situation.”
“And for him to be able to stay here with the relationships that he’s built, understanding our system, understanding the locker room, the other coaches, we’re thrilled to get him back,” Schottenheimer continued. “And he’s going to continue to get better. And that’s part of it. Got some reps today along with Sam and Dak and all those guys. So thrilled he’s back.”
Brian Schottenheimer On Why Joe Milton Cleared Waivers
Dallas waived Milton on Monday after claiming running back Emari Demercado, then named Howell the backup. Milton went unclaimed. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that Dallas was bringing him back to the practice squad.
Prescott said this week he was surprised nobody took Milton. Schottenheimer said the quarterback rooms around the league are crowded and that some teams are still holding four.
“Yeah, totally,” Schottenheimer said of his own surprise. “But I think you look around the landscape of the league, I mean, some teams are still holding four. And so the quarterback rosters and quarterback rooms around the league are pretty crowded right now, but he certainly is talented enough to be claimed. But it’s our good fortune that he wasn’t.”
Joe Milton’s 2026 Preseason With The Dallas Cowboys
Milton completed 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions across three preseason games. He added 12 carries for 14 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Dallas traded a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for Milton and a seventh-rounder in the 2025 offseason. He served as Prescott’s backup last season, appearing in four games and going 15-of-24 for 183 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
Milton is 26. He is now the third quarterback on the roster behind Prescott and Howell.
The Cowboys open the regular season Sept. 13 at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
