Cowboys to sign Francis Bernard, others to practice squad; Claim WR

The Dallas Cowboys will reportedly sign rookie standout Francis Bernard to their practice squad

The Dallas Cowboys spent the past week trimming down their roster, hitting the NFL mandated 53-man limit on Saturday afternoon. One of the more surprising cuts was undrafted rookie linebacker Francis Bernard out of Utah.

By most accounts, Bernard was a standout during Cowboys’ training camp. Instead of keeping him on the active roster, Dallas opted to waive the rookie linebacker on Saturday. Fortunately, he passed through waivers unclaimed. And according to Jori Epstein of USA Today, Bernard has now agreed to sign with the Cowboys as a member of their practice squad.

With the NFL expanding all practice squad rosters to 16, the Cowboys are expected to reunite with several of the players they just parted ways with. And an extra spot on the practice squad will go to offensive tackle Isaac Alarcón as an exemption, part of the league’s International Player Pathway Program. Reports are trickling in of other names rumored to be signing to the Cowboys’ practice squad along with Bernard.

According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, those players include center Marcus Henry, defensive back Saivion Smith, safety Luther Kirk, fullback Sewo Olonilua, defensive end Ron’Dell Carter, wide receiver Jon’Vea Johnson, defensive end Ladarius Hamilton, cornerback Deante Burton, wide receiver Aaron Parker, cornerback Chris Westry, and from the New York Giants, offensive lineman Eric Smith.

Dallas Cowboys win waiver claim for a wide receiver

The Cowboys also won a waiver claim on wide receiver Malik Turner from the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Undrafted out of Illinois in 2018, the 6-foot-2, 202-pound Turner spent the last two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

In 2019, Turner played in 15 games for the Seahawks, recording 15 receptions for 245 yards and a touchdown as a three-game starter. In Dallas, he figures to play a larger role on special teams.

The Cowboys’ new special teams coach, John Fassel, spent the past eight years in that same position for the Los Angeles Rams, playing in the same division as the Seahawks. And the newly-acquired Turner notched 170 snaps on special teams for Seattle last year.

In order to make room for Malik Turner on the active roster, the Dallas Cowboys released veteran linebacker, Joe Thomas. But the team is expected to re-sign Thomas on Monday after making a few more roster moves.