OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys will welcome some reinforcements to the roster as they begin their final week of west coast practices.
The team announced Monday that Maliek Collins, Benson Mayowa and Damien Wilson have passed their physicals and have been moved to the active roster. Collins and Mayowa were on the Physically Unable to Perform list after suffering injuries during the spring, while Wilson as on the Non-Football Injury list after hurting his eye playing paintball.
The trio should add some depth along the defensive line and at linebacker, though the Cowboys aren't going to throw them into practice right away.
"They'll work their way back into practice by doing individual first – we'll see how they're doing there," said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. "We might do more with them today as practice goes on."
The two defensive linemen will be sure to draw interest as they work their way back toward the action. Collins was the Cowboys' third-round pick this past spring, and there's hope he can make an immediate impact from the defensive tackle spot. Mayowa is one of the most intriguing additions to this roster, as the Cowboys signed him to a three-year contract in free agency despite his limited experience.
"It starts today for me, really – getting back with my boys and doing what I'm supposed to do," Mayowa said.
The Cowboys' offense, meanwhile, is still waiting to get back up to full strength. Ezekiel Elliott turned heads on Monday morning when he took every first-team snap at the team walkthrough, but Garrett said he isn't expected to return fully just yet.
"I don't anticipate him practicing today," Garrett said. "He might do a little bit of individual stuff. Hopefully here in the next couple of days."
Tyron Smith also won't practice Monday after sitting out of the preseason opener during the weekend. Garrett said after the Cowboys' 28-24 loss to the Rams that Smith sat out after suffering a stinger last week. Smith may go through the individual portion of practice, but he won't participate with the team.
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