The Dallas Cowboys made a series of roster adjustments ahead of their Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
The team signed veteran defensive lineman Carlos Watkins from the Washington Commanders’ practice squad after placing defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on Injured Reserve (IR).
“Cowboys roster moves: Jordan Phillips to IR (wrist), will miss at least four games. Carlos Watkins signed to the active roster from the Commanders practice squad,” wrote Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com in a September 18, 2024 post on X.
Watkins, who is familiar to the Cowboys after two seasons (2021-22) with the team, started 14 games in 2021, recording a career-high 32 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown. After playing for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, Watkins appeared in one game for the Commanders this season.
Jordan Phillips’ tenure with the Cowboys has gotten off to a rocky start. Acquired via a preseason trade with the New York Giants, Phillips will miss at least four games, but there’s a chance he could be sidelined longer. Through the first two games, Phillips recorded just one tackle and earned a low grade of 29.6 from Pro Football Focus.
“The Cowboys continue to have bad luck with veteran defensive tackles,” All City DLLS’ Clarence Hill Jr. commented on X, noting Phillips’ placement on IR.
The Cowboys owe the Giants a sixth-round pick in 2026 due to Phillips’ presence on the roster for the first two games. In return, Dallas will receive New York’s seventh-round pick in the same draft, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Meanwhile, Dallas’ run game has been struggling through the first two matchups. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that the Cowboys could consider elevating running back Dalvin Cook from the practice squad if the current tandem of Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle continues to underperform.
While this move isn’t expected for Week 3, a lack of improvement against the Ravens could prompt Cook’s activation in the near future.
