According to an NFL insider, the Dallas Cowboys have moved on from starting defensive lineman Carlos Watkins. In 2021 Watkins played 14 games for Cowboys, recording 32 tackles and five tackles for loss. He also had two quarterback hits, a touchdown, and a sack.
“Cowboys have released DT Carlos Watkins, person familiar with move said,” Gehlken tweeted on August 30, 2022. “Long, athletic veteran was a 14-game starter in 2021, his most memorable snap arguably an interception for a touchdown during win over Saints.”
Watkins was originally scheduled to sign a one-year $1.1million contract with Cowboys. But, Dallas’ strength on the defensive line made him the odd man out. The Cowboys had to make difficult decisions on the roster, especially in defense. As the list grows, other notable Cowboys cuts include Malik Davis running back, Aviante Collins receiver, tight end Sean McKeon, and Dontario Drummond, offensive lineman Aviante Collings.
Osa Odighiszuwa and Neville Gallimore are the favorite to start inside the Cowboys’ defensive line. Bob Sturm of the Athletic predicted that the Cowboys would release Watkins, but added that Dallas might be able to sign the defensive tackle to their practice squad if he clears waivers.
Sturm wrote August 28 that “This is my deepest, and most high-quality pool on the team for certain.” “I didn’t mention Watkins Tarell Basham, John Ridgeway or Watkins. However, I don’t think I can keep any one of these three at first. I assume Watkins Basham and Watkins will be available after they have passed waivers.
“Ridgeway would look good on the practice squad, but I think we are left with no choice. This is an excellent group that I wish was slightly more excellent with Randy Gregory, but life must go on. But, given the improvement of Bohanna and Hill, these are pretty much my best nine.”
The strong performance of former second-round selection Trysten Hill in camp did not help Watkins. Dallas had until August 30, at 4 p.m. Eastern, to complete their 53-man roster.
In an interview with Dallas’ 105.3The Fan on August 30, Jerry Jones, Cowboys owner, revealed that Tyler Smith, a rookie, is expected to replace Tyron Smith. The ankle injury to the Dallas first-round draft pick is also affecting Tyler Smith.
“We’ve got to get him out here and get him practiced here over the next couple of weeks relative to any issue he had with a little high ankle (sprain),” Jones explained. “But we don’t think that’s serious enough to limit his preparation.
“Now, what is the case is he hasn’t been there at left tackle. He is a rookie. But he’s a first-round pick and he deserved to be a first-round pick in my mind. And so we knew – we just didn’t want to come any earlier than it needed – but we knew we had to get ready to replace our left tackle and he was the pick.”