ARLINGTON, Texas — Jordan Hudson had caught 3 passes for 23 yards through two preseason games. He caught 4 for 97 yards and a touchdown Friday night in the Dallas Cowboys‘ 27-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Hudson was the leading receiver on either side. Rosters cut to 53 players at 5 p.m. CT Sunday.
“Man, just a blessing. Hate that we lost, but it was a good game,” Hudson said. “Good hard-fought loss. But we just got to come stronger.”
“It’s been a pretty rocky camp. Just been keeping my head down,” Hudson said. “But I’ve just been praying to God, man, and he allowed me to come out here and perform.”
Jordan Hudson’s Fourth Quarter
Dallas trailed 24-9 when Hudson caught a 52-yard pass from Sam Howell on the final snap of the third quarter, to the New Orleans 28. Two plays later, on the first snap of the fourth, Howell found him again from 26 yards out in the back right corner of the end zone. The drive covered 80 yards in 3 plays and took 1:22, and it cut the New Orleans lead to 24-16. Dallas tied the game on its next possession.
Hudson then made the tackle on the ensuing kickoff, stopping Zamir White at the New Orleans 32.
His 52-yarder was the longest play by either team. He was targeted 5 times. Howell finished 12-of-18 for 155 yards with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. On the Cowboys’ final possession he caught a 9-yarder for a first down at the Dallas 39 with 1:21 left, and Howell threw four straight incompletions after it, one of them deep to Hudson.
Joe Milton III watched the second half from the sideline.
“Shout out to him just being in the right place at the right time and being able to come down with those footballs and make a great catch for the team,” Milton said. “It’s awesome to see, especially from a young guy.”
Dallas Signed Jordan Hudson for $105,000 Guaranteed
Hudson signed a three-year deal worth $3.1 million after going undrafted in April, with $105,000 guaranteed. He spent his freshman season at TCU and three years at SMU, where he was a third-team All-ACC pick in 2025. He grew up in Garland.
“If you go look at my resume, I done played behind a lot of big-time guys. There’s Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, Taye Barber,” Hudson said. “So I know what it comes with not being a guy right away. So just keep your head down, believing in God and knowing your ability. I know I’m a dog. I know what I bring to the table. And I put that on display tonight.”
Dallas dressed 7 receivers Friday and held out 5, including CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jonathan Mingo. Camden Brown, another undrafted rookie, started and caught 1 pass for 27 yards.
Howell threw to both of them.
“We have a lot of talent in that receiver room. I hate that you can only keep so many guys, because there’s a lot of young guys on this roster right now that deserve to make the team,” Howell said. “A lot of those guys made plays throughout the preseason, and it makes our job fun to go out there with a great group of young receivers, because that’s who we’re going to be out there with. They made plays for me and Joe all preseason.”
Dallas opens at the New York Giants on Sept. 13. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
