IRVING, Texas – A fourth-round pick in 2011, David Arkin never played an offensive snap for the Cowboys.
Now it seems as if they never will. The Cowboys officially waived Arkin on Saturday to make room for rookie safety Jakar Hamilton, who was signed off the practice squad. Hamilton will travel to Detroit and likely make his NFL debut with starter J.J. Wilcox (knee) ruled out for Sunday's game with the Lions. Jeff Heath is expected to make his first career start while Hamilton and veteran Danny McCray will serve as the backups.
The Cowboys were high on Hamilton, who even had a fifth-round grade on their draft board. When he went undrafted, they immediately signed him as a priority rookie free agent. He has spent the first seven weeks of the season on the Cowboys' practice squad.
And if it works out of the Cowboys, Arkin could likely take his place there. Arkin has practice-squad eligibility and could get re-signed if he's not claimed off waivers.
The Cowboys have been extremely patient with the development of Arkin, who played various positions in college at Missouri State. Arkin came to Dallas and played both guard and center. [embedded_ad] During training camp last year, he started three preseason games at center. He started two games at guard this year.
But when it came to playing in the game, the Cowboys have not put him out there on offense. Through the first seven games this year, he was inactive in all but one week.
Without Arkin, the Cowboys are down to just nine offensive linemen. They've usually been keeping only seven active for the games with Mackenzy Bernadeau serving as the backup at guard and center and Jermey Parnell as the backup tackle. Last week, Phil Costa was active in Philly but has typically spent game days on the sidelines with Arkin and reserve tackle Darrion Weems.
Cutting Arkin means the Cowboys now have just half of their 2011 draft class, which featured Dez Bryant, Bruce Carter and DeMarco Murray. Dwayne Harris (sixth-round) is also still on the roster.
