First Dallas Cowboys player opts out for the 2020 season

The first of what could become several Dallas Cowboys’ players opted out of playing in 2020

As part of the plan for the NFL to play this season despite a worldwide pandemic, the league is allowing players to opt-out of playing football in 2020 and still receive some financial compensation. On Monday, the first member of the Dallas Cowboys chose to do so.

According to ESPN, the NFL is offering $350,000 and an accrued league season if a player opts not to play this season and is deemed a high risk of contracting COVID-19. Those who aren’t viewed as high risk can still opt out and receive $150,000, although the numbers could change slightly.

Those in fear of contracting the virus and potentially spreading it to their family members face a difficult choice in the coming days. And the NFL is offering them a way out that still offers compensation, which could be a more attractive option for fringe players who aren’t guaranteed to make a team’s final roster.

On Monday, one of the newest free-agent signings for the Cowboys this offseason has decided to opt-out for the 2020 regular season. And that player is veteran cornerback Maurice Canady, who recently inked a one-year deal in Dallas worth a base salary of $950,000 according to spotrac.com.

A sixth-round selection out of Virginia back in 2016, Canady spent his first-full three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, starting in only one game in that span as a backup and special teams player.

After recording 21 total tackles, three pass deflections, and an interception in five games last year, the Ravens suddenly waived Canady and he finished the season with the New York Jets. He’d start two of his eight games in the Big Apple, ending the year with 25 tackles and two pass defends.

The loss of Canady will force the Dallas Cowboys to look to their unproven corners

In Dallas, the 26-year old Canady faced plenty of competition to make the Cowboys’ final roster with 11 total cornerbacks on the roster prior to him opting out. But the veteran’s experience and special teams play figured to give him a leg up over the competition.

https://twitter.com/MauriceCanady26/status/1287872172438900736?s=20

With Maurice Canady choosing not to play in 2020, the Dallas Cowboys will likely look to some of their younger corner prospects like rookies Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson II to take on bigger roles once the season officially kicks off.