IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys re-signed defensive end Lavar Edwards to their active roster on Tuesday, just a few days after releasing him.
Edwards was released Saturday after injuries necessitated a roster move at the linebacker position. Both Rolando McClain and Justin Durant missed Sunday's game against St. Louis with groin injuries, prompting the Cowboys to activate undrafted rookie Keith Smith from their practice squad.
Smith played in the 34-31 win against the Rams, but he did not record any sacks. He was released Monday afternoon, and he'll be free to rejoin the Cowboys' practice squad if he clears waivers.
Edwards himself cleared waivers on Monday afternoon, and it's not surprising the Cowboys re-signed him. The team acquired him from Tennessee in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. He joined the Cowboys the week before the season opener, and he played just a handful of snaps against San Francisco before a knee injury sidelined him against the Titans.
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The Cowboys need all the help they can get for their pass rush, which is off to a sluggish start this season. Dallas is in a five-way tie for No. 31 in the league with just three sacks as a team. Furthermore, it hasn't even been their defensive line generating those sacks. Rolando McClain and Bruce Carter – both linebackers – are tied for the team lead with one sack apiece. Henry Melton and Kyle Wilber combined on the other sack in the win against Tennessee.
The Titans selected Edwards No. 142 overall in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but they decided he didn't fit into their future as they switch to a 3-4 scheme under new defense coordinator Ray Horton. During his four-year career with LSU, he totaled 96 tackles and 10.5 sacks as a 4-3 defensive end.
