3 Cowboys practice squad additions who will definitely see the field this season

The start of the regular season is this week as the Chiefs take on the Ravens Thursday night. Beyond that the first full week of the NFL season concludes on Monday night. Sandwiched in between those days is the Dallas Cowboys' game against Cleveland Sunday afternoon. The team's 53-man roster and practice squads are set as they prepare to play for real.

When it comes to NFL teams finding replacement players due to injury or other reasons, most turn to bringing up players on their practice squads. The Cowboys turn to this method a lot. This year's practice squad is filled with returning players and plenty of new faces. These three additions to this group could likely see the field this season on way or another.

3 Cowboys' new practice squad additions likely to play this season

3. DE Carl Lawson

Carl Lawson was one of the veteran free agent signings the Cowboys brought in at the start of camp. Lawson's arrival was part of a movement for the Cowboys to bring in veteran help for defensive end due to Sam Williams tearing his ACL during training camp. While rookie Marshawn Kneeland shows promise, Dallas needed to address depth at that position before the season.

Lawson being waived and being added to the practice squad was not the path some saw him taking at the start of this season. In fact some might have believed he would be in the defensive end rotation for week one. Instead the Cowboys opted to keep Tyrus Wheat, likely because of his presence on special teams.

Lawson most recently spent time with the Jets but only played in six games last season. That was mostly due to his decline since tearing his Achilles back in 2021 and falling victim to a stacked defensive line. Still, Lawson has been a contributor since being drafted by Cincinnati in 2017. He had a standout rookie season with 8.5 sacks.

With the injury history and decline in production it is not too surprising the Cowboys are hesitant to put him out there in Week 1, but Lawson will likely be brought up if he remains on the practice squad. Dallas always suffers injuries late in the season and another one on the defensive line should not come as a shock.

2. OT Josh Ball

Josh Ball has not been a standout offensive lineman for Dallas so far in his career, but to see him placed on the practice squad while Matt Waletzko made the 53-man roster was a head scratcher. Ball performed markedly better than him in preseason. It wasn't even a contest. Ball looks capable of filling in this season should a lineman go down.

Ball has not played in regular season games since 2022, He appeared in 13 games that season due to the shifting of the offensive line with Tyron Smith and Terence Steele going through injuries. With his 6-foot-8 frame coming out of Marshall, Ball looked like the type of lineman who could develop into a starter. So far that has not happened.

Still, guys on this offensive line are aging as proven by Dallas' unwillingness to give Tyron Smith a new contract. They will also be starting two rookies in Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe. While Waletzko being on the 53-man roster guarantees he is one of the backup tackles, it would not be surprising to see Ball take the field if no other team claims him.

1. RB Dalvin Cook

There is a buzz now in Dallas that at some point they will want to get Dalvin Cook on the field this season should he stay on the practice squad. The Cowboys made this move primarily so they could have Cook on their team and try to work him in later possibly a few games into the season. Cook was a free agent up until Dallas signed him and has to get back into shape before he can contribute.

With Ezekiel Elliott back in Dallas as well, the Cowboys have signed the NFC Pro Bowl backfield from 2019. Many have been quick to judge the Cowboys for brining in what some consider two washed up running backs to replace Tony Pollard.

Joking aside, Cook was a Pro Bowler back in 2022 during his final year in Minnesota. He had over 1,100 yards and scored eight touchdowns to help the Vikings get back to the playoffs.

With Cook being on the team now, the Cowboys have more options to choose from. This could be a solid idea based on the running back by committee approach they are taking this season. Rico Dowdle looks like he could be a future full-time starter, but the veteran leadership of Elliott and Cook could be a huge boost for this group.

While neither back is quite what they used to be, both have said they still have something to prove. While it might be a few weeks until he hits the field, Cook will almost certainly be in a Cowboys uniform this season.

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