FRISCO, Texas — Quarterback Joe Milton III cleared waivers Tuesday, leaving the Dallas Cowboys free to sign him to their practice squad.
Claims were due at 3 p.m. CT. None came in on Milton or on the two years left on his rookie contract, and he is a free agent.
Dallas placed Milton on waivers Monday as the corresponding move for its claim of running back Emari Demercado from the Kansas City Chiefs. Milton had made the initial 53-man roster Sunday alongside Dak Prescott and Sam Howell. The Cowboys kept three quarterbacks. Most clubs carry two.
In his third season, Milton had not reached vested veteran status, so the release sent him to the wire rather than to free agency.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday morning at The Star that the club wanted Milton back on the practice squad, and that Dallas would add a quarterback there if Milton were claimed or chose to sign somewhere else. Schottenheimer said the Cowboys will not carry a third quarterback on the 53-man roster.
Before Monday’s cut to 53 players, Dallas held trade conversations on Milton, ESPN’s Todd Archer reported, citing a source. Archer reported later Monday that there was no truth to a story that Milton had asked the Cowboys for his release.
Dallas Cowboys Practice Squad Spots Open For Joe Milton III
Dallas signed 13 players to the practice squad on Monday. Every one of them had been among the 35 the club waived or released Sunday, and practice squads had to be reported to the league by 5 p.m. CT.
Offensive tackle Wanya Morris was not on Monday’s list. Dallas was signing Morris after the Atlanta Falcons waived him Sunday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported. The club announced Morris and defensive tackle Elijah Garcia on Tuesday.
Defensive lineman Adedayo Odeleye holds an International Player Pathway exemption, which allows Dallas a 17th player and does not count against the 16 standard spots. Two of those 16 are open.
Two Cowboys did not make it through the wire Monday. The Miami Dolphins claimed safety Julius Wood, one of seven players Miami was awarded, and the Minnesota Vikings claimed guard Trevor Keegan. Clubs claimed 29 players across the league.
Joe Milton III And Sam Howell In The 2026 Preseason
During the three preseason games in 2026, Milton went 29-for-43 passing for 378 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also rushed 12 times for 14 yards and scored a rushing touchdown.
Howell went 27 of 40 for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception, and he ran for a score. Dallas started Howell in the preseason opener at Seattle. Milton started the next two games, including the finale against New Orleans on Aug. 28 at AT&T Stadium.
Dallas signed Howell on March 10 to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million guaranteed. His base salary is $2 million. He has 18 career starts, all with the Washington Commanders in 2022 and 2023. Across 20 career games, Howell has thrown for 4,139 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Joe Milton III’s Route To Dallas And His Numbers With The Cowboys
The New England Patriots drafted Milton in the sixth round in 2024, 193rd overall. He appeared in one regular-season game as a rookie, going 22 of 29 for 241 yards and 1 touchdown with no interceptions against the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 5, 2025. He carried 10 times for 16 yards and a touchdown in that game.
New England traded Milton and a 2025 seventh-round pick to Dallas on April 3, 2025, for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Milton got into four games for the Cowboys last season and played 51 offensive snaps. He went 15 of 24 for 183 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He carried five times for 50 yards. Milton has thrown for 424 yards in five career games and has not started one.
Dallas begins the regular season against the New York Giants on September 13. The game starts at 7:20 p.m. CT at MetLife Stadium and will be broadcast on NBC.
