IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys reached their 75-man roster limit on Tuesday afternoon by releasing four and giving injury designations to another six.
The Cowboys waived linebacker Jonathan Brown, wide receivers Antwan Goodley and David Porter and tight end Brandon Barden. They also waived/injured defensive end Kenneth Boatright, running back Michael Hill and offensive tackle R.J. Dill – all three of whom sustained injuries during training camp.
The most significant of those would be Boatright, who suffered a severe injury scare when he was taken to a local hospital in Oxnard, Calif., with a head injury on Aug. 6. The third-year veteran did not return to practice before his release.
All three players to be waived/injured must clear waivers before reverting to the team's injured reserve.
In addition, the Cowboys made key injury designations to three players. The most notable of the three would be Orlando Scandrick, who was placed on injured reserve after tearing his ACL and MCL in practice last week. The move officially sidelines the eight-year veteran for the season while he recovers.
Two 2015 draft picks were also given injury designations. Third-round pick Chaz Green, taken No. 91 overall in May, was moved to reserve/Physically Unable to Perform, allowing him time to work back from his offseason hip surgery. Green will be inactive for the first six weeks of the season. After that time period, the team has another six-week window to decide to return him to the practice field or move him to injured reserve.
That will give the Cowboys plenty of time to determine what kind of role Green will have for them this year.
A similar situation applies for seventh-round pick Mark Nzeocha, who was designated to the Non-Football Injury list. The NFI lists functions similarly to the PUP, but it is reserved for injuries that happened away from the Cowboys' roster. Nzeocha tore his ACL last October, during his final season with Wyoming. He'll also be inactive for the first six weeks of the season, and the Cowboys will again have a window of time to decide his next move.
With the roster now trimmed to 75, the Cowboys have until Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. to finalize their 53-man roster ahead of the start of the regular season. On Sunday, they will be able to establish their 10-man practice squad as they begin preparations for their Week 1 content against the New York Giants.
