FRISCO, Texas — Brian Schottenheimer said Tyrus Wheat earned his roster spot back a year after the Dallas Cowboys waived him at final cuts.
Dallas waived Wheat on Aug. 26, 2025. The Detroit Lions claimed him off waivers the next day.
“Tee Wee was a very difficult cut last year for us when he went to Detroit. And he earned the right to make this football team,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s a really good outside linebacker. He’s a really good teammate. He’s excellent on special teams. He’s a four-core guy. That room got crowded in a hurry when you trade for Rashan Gary and Malachi Lawrence, and then Von Miller shows up. But he just, the consistency that he displayed in both of those phases, defense and special teams, made it to where we were very, very comfortable and felt really excited for him.”
Tyrus Wheat’s Season In Detroit
Wheat played 15 games for the Lions and set career highs with 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He added a forced fumble and a pass breakup on 66 defensive snaps.
He played 215 special teams snaps, a career high, and his 11 special teams tackles were third-most on the team. Against Dallas last season he had 2 tackles and a pass deflection.
Detroit did not tender Wheat as an exclusive rights free agent. He signed a one-year deal with Dallas worth $1,755,000 on March 11 and wears No. 90 in his second stint after wearing 91 in his first.
Ryan Flournoy Is The Precedent Brian Schottenheimer Used
Schottenheimer said he raised Ryan Flournoy with the players Dallas cut this weekend.
“If you guys remember, Ryan Flournoy was released and brought back,” Schottenheimer explained. “And now he’s just one of the most important players on our football team. So I used that with some of the guys yesterday.”
Flournoy ranked fourth on the Cowboys in receiving yards last season with 475.
Dallas Cowboys Outside Linebacker Room After The Cuts
Wheat went undrafted out of Mississippi State in 2023 and signed with Dallas on the practice squad. He played 20 games across his first two seasons with 17 tackles and a half-sack, with most of his snaps on special teams.
Dallas kept 6 outside linebackers. Marist Liufau went to injured reserve with a designation to return, and Sam Williams was released.
Wheat’s path is one Schottenheimer said the Cowboys see repeat.
“Another one of those stories, a little bit like Malik, where the journey sometimes weaves and goes different directions,” Schottenheimer said. “But a lot of times, those guys that are wired the right way, it’s really important to them. They love football. They have the team-first mentality that we believe in. They find their way back to Dallas.”
Dallas opens the regular season Sept. 13 at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
