Full Breakdown
Commanders Sign Veteran Defensive Tackle Byron Cowart
8/12/2026, 12:04:36 AM
Core Move: Adding Interior Defensive Line Depth
The Washington Commanders announced the signing of defensive tackle Byron Cowart to replace interior-line depth after D.J. Davidson was placed on the reserve/retired list on August 8. The move follows a weekend of roster churn that also saw the release of guard Sala Aumavae-Laulu and safety Rob McDaniel.
Background & Context
Cowart, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive tackle, entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick (No. 159 overall) of the New England Patriots in the 2019 draft after a collegiate career that began at Auburn and concluded at the University of Maryland. He was the nation’s No. 1 overall high-school recruit in the 2015 class, coming out of Armwood High School in Seffner, Florida. Since 2019, Cowart has spent time with eight NFL teams—Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins (practice squad), Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and now Washington.
Davidson, a former Giants defensive tackle drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, signed with Washington in March 2026 and was placed on the reserve/retired list on August 8. His retirement created the roster opening that prompted the Cowart signing.
Data & Statistics
- Career games: 51 (21 starts) – reported by USA Today, Sports Illustrated, and Heavy.
- Tackles: 67 total, including 10 tackles for loss.
- Sacks: 3.5 career sacks.
- Passes defensed: 1.
- 2024 season (Chicago Bears): 15 games played, 7 starts.
- 2025 season (New York Jets): placed on injured reserve on Aug. 26 and later released.
Official Statements & Responses
- Aaron Wilson (NFL reporter) confirmed the roster moves on X, noting the Commanders’ signings of Daniel Brunskill, Nicholas Petit-Frere, and Max Scharping, as well as the releases of Chris Hilton Jr. and Timothy McKay, alongside Davidson’s retirement.
- The Commanders’ official release listed the releases of Sala Aumavae-Laulu and Rob McDaniel as corresponding moves to add Cowart.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Commanders have signed former Giants DL D.J. Davidson,” — FanSided’s Doug Rush
Timeline
- August 8 (2026): Defensive tackle D.J. Davidson placed on the reserve/retired list.
- August 11 (2026): Ben Standig reports that Cowart was among eight defensive linemen who worked out for Washington and is expected to be signed.
- August 11 (2026): Commanders announce the release of guard Sala Aumavae-Laulu and safety Rob McDaniel as part of the Cowart transaction.
What’s Next
Cowart will report to training camp and must demonstrate readiness after spending most of the 2025 season on injured reserve with an ankle issue. The Commanders will evaluate his health and fit behind the established interior defensive tackles as the roster heads into the regular season.
