For the time being, the Dallas Cowboys are done tinkering with their roster. They currently have one spot left on their practice squad, and fans are hopeful it’s reserved for standout undrafted rookie Zion Childress if he clears waivers after being waived on Wednesday
In expected moves, the Cowboys placed running back Phil Mafah (shoulder) and cornerback Caelen Carson (knee) on injured reserve/designated to return. That knocks them out the first four weeks and means they won't count against the 53-man roster to start the year.
To fill their spots, Dallas signed veterans C.J. Goodwin and Hakeem Adeniji to the active roster. Just like the Cowboys pulling massive ratings every year, Goodwin somehow always ends up on the roster - by hook or by crook.
Cowboys once again reserve a roster spot for veteran C.J. Goodwin
It's a tradition unlike any other, and a lot of Cowboys fans are tired of it.
While Goodwin is one of the top special teams gunners in the NFL, he doesn't play defense. At all. He's listed as a cornerback, but he never plays any defensive snaps. You can lump him in with Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger and Trent Sieg as the core special teamers.
What makes Goodwin's situation so unique is that most teams don’t reserve a roster spot for a special-teams-only player. Those final roster spots typically go to players who can fill multiple roles, like a wide receiver who also plays special teams, or a fullback who doubles as a tight end.
The Cowboys keeping Goodwin around for an eighth season is impressive and nutty at the same time.
It is impressive that Goodwin has managed to stick around that long despite playing just 67 defensive snaps during his tenure, including just five last season, per PFF. And it is nutty that Dallas hasn't been able to find a player who can both play special teams at a high level and contribute in another fact of the game.
Goodwin certainly has value. Having an edge on special teams is crucial to winning in the NFL. However, keeping a special teams-only player often means cutting someone more versatile who could contribute on offense or defense. It limits your roster flexibility, which is never ideal this time of year, but it doesn't seem like the Cowboys have any intention of changing it up.