The Dallas Cowboys have made several roster adjustments to address depth concerns on their offensive line following the placement of guard Tyler Smith on injured reserve. The team promoted guard Nick Leverett from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster, where he will serve as the backup to new starter TJ Bass.
In a separate move, Dallas signed former first-round pick Laken Tomlinson to the practice squad. The 34-year-old lineman was selected in the 2015 draft and has started 162 career games, including seven contests last season with the Houston Texans. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2020.
Leverett’s path to Dallas included time with Tampa Bay, New England, and Arizona. He spent the 2024 season splitting time between New England and Arizona and was on the Cardinals' practice squad last year when current Cowboys offensive coordinator Clayton Adams held that position.
Off the field, ESPN released its annual poll of NFL executives and scouts, highlighting two Dallas-related award candidates. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer was named a contender for Coach of the Year, a recognition that suggests polled experts view the team as poised to win the NFC East after a 7-10 record last season.
Jeremy Fowler, who reported on the poll, described Schottenheimer as a "wild card" in a tight race. An NFC scout told Fowler that quarterback Dak Prescott is expected to have a strong year and that the defense should show significant improvement if the team remains healthy.
The Cowboys also had defensive rookie Caleb Downs listed as the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Executives noted that Downs will play primarily in the slot, where he can disrupt plays in open field. An AFC executive suggested that ball production and high tackle numbers could be key to his award chances.
