The Dallas Cowboys are far from done finalizing their 53-man roster. More changes could be on the way before Week 1 once all of the deadline madness is over with.
Speaking of madness, waiver claims have been processed so now the Cowboys are busy putting together their practice squad. Unfortunately, players claimed off waivers must transfer to the 53-man roster, meaning corresponding moves will have to be made.
Well, to make room for their two waiver claims - defensive backs Trikweze Bridges and Reddy Steward - the Cowboys released undrafted rookie Zion Childress and cornerback Andrew Booth. Childress is likely to return to the practice squad if he clears waivers, but the fact he is even subjected to the waiver wire is a little ridiculous.
Cowboys release star UDFA Zion Childress after he made the initial 53-man roster
Again, Childress could end up back on the practice squad, and potentially even the active roster for Week 1. It was always a long shot that the Kentucky product would start against the Eagles next Thursday, which Brian Schottenheimer has certainly hinted at, but but he deserves to be on the roster.
It seems the Cowboys were reluctant to fully trust Childress with the starting nickel job. That doesn't mean he won't win it back down the road, but Steward brings a similar skill set to the table. He can hold his own in man coverage and he has better awareness in zone.
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Childress is arguably more physical against the run, but Steward, a 2024 undrafted free agent, appeared in one game for the Bears under Matt Eberflus last season. It's not a lot of experience by any stretch, but it's more than what Childress has.
Steward generated a forced fumble in his lone appearance and has performed well in preseason in each of his first two years in the league.
It's possible Eberflus and the Cowboys want Steward to open the year as their starting nickel until Trevon Diggs is cleared to play. They've now cut Childress, Kemon Hall and Israel Mukuamu, who saw the most snaps in the nickel in camp and preseason.
Once Diggs returns to the lineup, that would likely push DaRon Bland to the nickel, where he played a lot as a rookie.
There are still a lot of moving parts. Childress could be back on the practice squad by this time tomorrow, but his release definitely caught fans by surprise. It’s another reminder of how fluid the roster crunch can be - especially for players who get caught up in a numbers game.