Full Breakdown
Cowboys Trim Roster Ahead of Season Opener
8/31/2026, 8:55:52 PM
Core Event
The Dallas Cowboys announced the release of veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and former Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick as they reduced their roster to the NFL-mandated 53-player limit. Both cuts were confirmed after the preseason finale, which the Cowboys won 27-24 over the New Orleans Saints.
Background & Context
Dallas entered the final roster deadline with a deep receiving group that includes George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson, all of whom were primary targets for quarterback Dak Prescott last season. The league’s deadline for finalizing 53-man rosters forces teams to release players who do not secure a spot on the active list. The Cowboys used this deadline to part ways with two players who had limited preseason production.
Player Profiles
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling — 31-year-old wide receiver, two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, he also played for Buffalo, New Orleans and Pittsburgh before signing a one-year deal with Dallas in April 2026.
- Derion Kendrick — 2022 sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams, former Georgia Bulldog cornerback. Signed with the Cowboys on March 24, 2026 as a member of the active roster. Prior to Dallas, he spent three seasons with the Rams, a stint with the Seattle Seahawks and a brief return to the Rams in 2025.
Preseason Performance Data
- Valdes-Scantling recorded two receptions on three targets for 31 yards in the final preseason game and three receptions for 45 yards across all appearances, according to the Newsweek report.
- Kendrick appeared in every preseason contest, starting two, and allowed five receptions on six targets for 36 yards, yielding a 91.7 passer rating.
Both players failed to demonstrate enough impact to earn a roster spot amid a crowded receiving corps and a secondary already featuring established starters.
Implications for Dallas
The releases leave the Cowboys with a roster that leans heavily on younger talent at wide receiver and cornerback. Valdes-Scantling’s departure removes a veteran depth option, while Kendrick’s cut eliminates a player who provided solid coverage metrics in preseason but could not surpass the competition. The team will open the regular season with a Sunday Night Football matchup against the New York Giants on Sept. 13.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No official statement from the Dallas Cowboys organization has been released regarding the rationale for the cuts. Media coverage relies on insider reports (e.g., NFL insider Jordan Schultz) and preseason performance statistics, leaving the precise evaluation criteria used by the coaching staff undocumented.
