3 Cowboys who are living on borrowed time in 2024

3. TE Peyton Hendershot

Peyton Hendershot is a diamond the Cowboys found in the rough during training camp in 2022. As an undrafted free agent out of Indiana, Hendershot was one of several tight ends in camp two years ago. After a standout preseason he made the roster and contributed his rookie season.

He scored two touchdowns and was a solid backup behind Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson. When Schultz left, many thought Hendershot would elevate to second string. However, in the 2023 draft the team took Luke Schoonmaker which was a bit of a headscratcher.

The former Hoosier struggled with an ankle injury for most of last season. He appeared in only eight games and was not nearly as productive as his rookie year. His ankle injury also required offseason surgery leading some to think he might have lost a step. In his absence, Schoonmaker was productive alongside Ferguson.

Undrafted free agents always have that chip on their shoulder of not hearing their name called on draft day. Hendershot is the type of player fans root for and the team loves because NFL general managers love taking risks and seeing them pay off. Hendershot may be coming into camp as third string, but there will be more competition.

John Stephens Jr., another undrafted tight end last season, was putting up good numbers in the preseason before suffering a season-ending injury. His injury might have kept Hendershot in Dallas last season because he more than likely would have made the roster or at least practice squad.

With Stephens back, Princeton Fant back and two new undrafted rookies, Hendershot is on borrowed time to keep his job especially after a large dip in production last season. Injuries always happen but the league shows no sympathy. The train will move on if the player cannot contribute the same.

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