2021 Cowboys roster cuts: Garrett Gilbert, Ben DiNucci released, Cooper Rush initially lands QB2 job



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It’s a brutal day in the NFL for many, as league teams downsized their 80-player roster to the mandatory 53 by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 31. For the Dallas Cowboys, that certainly meant aiming the hatchet towards their quarterback room – having spent all of July and August trying to figure out who will support two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott. It was Garrett Gilbert entering training camp and preseason as a favorite, but things changed towards the end of August, when Cooper Rush won against the Arizona Cardinals.

It was as if the decision had been made then, and it turns out it was – despite Gilbert’s good play in the preseason finale. The Cowboys freed Gilbert in the Final Cups, sources told CBS Sports, sending him on waivers alongside Ben DiNucci and effectively crowning Rush as QB2, at least for now. Sources also note that the Cowboys will be keeping an eye on the waiver thread in case a QB is free which they believe is an upgrade from Rush. If that doesn’t happen, it will be the familiar face of Rush behind Prescott in 2021.

The writing has been on the wall for some time regarding DiNucci, who earlier this offseason said his poor NFL debut as a rookie “it wasn’t me there.” It appears that was the case, however, looking at his poor play in this year’s pre-season which included four interceptions and nearly several more, if they weren’t abandoned by opposing players. DiNucci has dominated at James Madison University but has been a disappointment in the NFL so far, and now his time in Dallas is over. Time will tell if it’s only for a day or two, as there is still a chance that DiNucci will have more time to develop in the training squad.

The same goes for Gilbert, who is eligible for the 16-man unit and who did infinitely more than DiNucci to prove he belonged to Dallas. But, for now, the two are hitting the waiver thread and waiting to see what their next move in the NFL will be.

Check out the full list of Cowboys Cups – updated as they filter through – and be sure to refer to CBS Sports’ final roster screening for Dallas to see which ones are expected and which ones. are a complete surprise.

Keep in mind that there will be multiple players on the current active roster moved to IR on Wednesday and shortly thereafter, and players will also be activated from the COVID / Reserve roster this week, meaning that several of the players released on Tuesday will likely be re-signed before the end of the week (eg Jeremy Sprinkle, Jake McQuaide).

  • Ben DiNucci, QB
  • Garrett Gilbert, QB
  • Isaac Alarcon, OL (IPP exemption)
  • Steven Parker, S
  • Eric Smith, OT
  • Tyler Coyle, S
  • Austin Faoliu, DT
  • Ron’Dell Carter, DL
  • Darian Thompson, S
  • Osirus Mitchell, WR
  • JaQuan Hardy, RB
  • Braylon Jones, OL
  • Brendan Knox, RB
  • Brandon Smith, WR
  • Johnnie Dixon, WR
  • Aaron Parker, WR
  • Reggie Davis, WR
  • Nick Ralston, FB
  • Artayvious Lynn, TE
  • Jeremy Sprinkle, TE
  • Nick Eubanks, TE
  • Justin Hamilton, DT
  • Jake McQuaide, LS

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