FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday the club liked Wanya Morris coming out of Oklahoma and watched him from a distance for three years before signing him to the practice squad.
Morris and Tyler Guyton were teammates with the Sooners. Guyton is the Cowboys starting left tackle.
“A guy we really liked the year Guyton was coming out. He was on the opposite side of Tyler and a guy that we’ve seen play some good ball,” Schottenheimer said. “We love the athleticism. We like the size. The line looked pretty good out there today with those guys all kind of lining up out there. They’ve got a lot to learn. They’re definitely having to play catch-up. That’s part of it.”
“But I think you’ve seen us improve the athleticism of the position for sure,” Schottenheimer continued. “And that’s always a good thing when you’re talking about edge players that have to block some of the best athletes, if not the best athletes in the National Football League.”
Wanya Morris’ Three Seasons In Kansas City
Kansas City drafted Morris in the third round in 2023, 92nd overall, with a pick acquired from Cincinnati. He appeared in 14 games as a rookie and started four, then played two more in the postseason as the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII.
Morris started 11 games at left tackle in 2024, taking over midseason. He appeared in 43 games with 16 starts across three years in Kansas City.
His 2025 season came down to one start. Morris played a single snap at Houston in Week 14 before a left knee injury ended his year. He logged 51 snaps on special teams that season.
How Wanya Morris Reached The Dallas Cowboys
Kansas City traded Morris to the Atlanta Falcons in June, sending a 2027 seventh-round pick with him and receiving a 2027 sixth-rounder. Atlanta waived him Sunday in its cut to 53 players, and he went unclaimed when waiver claims processed at noon CT Monday.
Morris turns 26 in October. He started his college career at Tennessee in 2019 and 2020 before two seasons at Oklahoma, where he was a second-team All-Big 12 selection as a senior.
Dallas practiced Tuesday morning with Morris in the mix on the line.
The Dallas Cowboys Tackle Room
Klayton Adams is the Cowboys offensive coordinator. Conor Riley coaches the offensive line.
“I think we’ve gotten better at tackle. I’m going to say with also the improvement of Drew Shelton. I think we’ve got more athletic. I’ve talked about that,” Schottenheimer said. “I’m a big fan of Nathan Thomas. I really wish him nothing but the best in Houston. And I still think that he’s got a chance to become a really good football player. I think the versatility that we have inside with TJ Bass and Nick Leverett battling that out.”
“And basically, I feel like we got the guys we wanted back on practice squad. And those are guys that you know you’re going to be elevating,” Schottenheimer continued. “I keep going back to the Jets game last year where you got four brand new starters. And so I like the depth, but really the first thing I would speak to, Tommy, is the athleticism at our tackle spot.”
The Cowboys traded offensive tackle Nathan Thomas to the Houston Texans on Sunday for a 2027 seventh-round pick. Rookie Drew Shelton is the backup at left tackle, and Marcellus Johnson returned on the practice squad after being waived.
Dallas signed 13 players to the practice squad on Monday and added Morris and defensive tackle Elijah Garcia on Tuesday, leaving two standard spots open.
Dallas opens the regular season at the New York Giants on Sept. 13. Kickoff at MetLife Stadium is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
