FRISCO, Texas — Von Miller is listed second at outside linebacker behind Rashan Gary on the Dallas Cowboys’ unofficial depth chart released Tuesday. James Houston is third at the spot.
Miller has not played a snap for Dallas. He agreed to a one-year deal on Aug. 16 after missing the offseason program and all of training camp, and he did not appear in the preseason finale. The deal is worth $5.5 million with a maximum value of $7.5 million.
Miller’s physical readiness is not in question for Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, who has not settled the game-day roster.
“I think he is. We haven’t finalized that,” Schottenheimer said. “Today was a bonus Monday, so we’re really just kind of getting them exposed to some of the basic concepts that they do offensively, defensively, and special teams. But in terms of play time and the roster numbers and all those things, we’ll finalize that. But I don’t see any reason from a physical standpoint that Von wouldn’t be ready to play this week. And if he’s one of the guys that makes it, then he will. But we haven’t had those discussions yet.”
Teams may activate 48 players on game day if at least eight of them are offensive linemen, and 47 if fewer. Schottenheimer said Monday that the staff will sort out the eight offensive linemen during the week, and that special teams factors into how the 48 gets built.
Von Miller Leads All Active Players With 138.5 Career Sacks
Miller is 37 and entering his 15th season. He leads all active players with 138.5 career sacks and had 9 of them for the Washington Commanders in 2025. He grew up in DeSoto, played at Texas A&M, and went second overall to the Denver Broncos in 2011. He has 8 Pro Bowl selections and was the Super Bowl 50 MVP. He sat out the 2020 season with an ankle injury and has played for Denver, the Los Angeles Rams, the Buffalo Bills, and Washington.
Miller said he has not been handed a plan for Sunday.
“No, I don’t have any plan,” Miller said. “But this is my 16th year in the National Football League, I like to think that I’m a coach’s dream. I just try to make everybody’s job easy, whether it’s coaches, players around me, whatever I can do to help contribute to wins.”
“That’s why I’m here. Whether that’s in the locker room, out there on the football field. I’m still a sack daddy, too,” Miller continued. “So, I have my opportunity to go out there and rush the quarterback as well and contribute to wins. But whatever I can do to just contribute to wins, that’s what I’m all about.”
Rashan Gary And Donovan Ezeiruaku Are The Listed Starters
Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku are the starting outside linebackers. Gary spent seven seasons in Green Bay, has 46.5 career sacks, and had 7.5 last season. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2024. Ezeiruaku had 2.0 sacks in nine starts as a rookie in 2025.
Rookie Malachi Lawrence, the No. 23 overall pick, and Tyrus Wheat are listed behind Ezeiruaku on the other side.
Dallas allowed 511 points last season, 30.1 per game, the most in the NFL. The Cowboys finished 7-9-1 and second in the NFC East. Christian Parker is in his first season as defensive coordinator.
Kickoff at MetLife Stadium is 7:20 p.m. CT Sunday on NBC.
