Darian Thompson‘s tenure with the Cowboys has come to an end… for the time being. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that Dallas has waived the defensive back to make room for recently-promoted defensive tackle Christian Ringo. However, Rapoport notes that he expects Thompson to return to the organization if he clears waivers.
Thompson, a former third-rounder out of Boise State, had a breakout campaign with the Giants in 2017. He finished the season with 75 tackles, six passes defended, and one interception, although Pro Football Focus only rated him as the 66th-ranked safety in the NFL. The 25-year-old missed his entire rookie campaign with a Lisfranc injury, and he was slowed down by a hamstring injury through much of the 2018 preseason.
The Giants’ new regime decided to move on from Thompson in early September, and he was subsequently added to the Cardinals practice squad. He was signed to the Cowboys active roster in early October, but he couldn’t carve out a role in Dallas. He appeared in four games without compiling a single defensive stat.
With Jameill Showers on the injured reserve, the Cowboys now have three healthy safeties on their roster in Xavier Woods, Jeff Heath, and Kavon Frazier.
Earl Thomas next year!
If the Cowboys had an interest in Thomas they would have dealt for him by now. Dallas has the youngest roster in the league so does it make sense to spend big bucks on a 30 year old vet with injury baggage?
The Giants should pick him back up as a practice squad player just to mess with Dallas as well as giving them some depth at the safety position. When healthy Thompson is a good player, and a ball hawk that the giants desperately need.
The only down side is his problem at staying healthy. I don’t believe he has lasted a full season yet in the league. A big red flag for any NFL team.