The Cowboys lost longtime cornerback Anthony Brown to a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 13. They will add an experienced option in the wake of that development.
Mackensie Alexander is signing with Dallas’ practice squad, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. Alexander will rejoin former Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards with the Cowboys. The former second-round pick has not played this season.
After signing with the Dolphins midway through training camp, Alexander sustained an injury that led him to Miami’s IR. The Dolphins reached an injury settlement with the six-year veteran, allowing him to head back to free agency and sign elsewhere to retain 2022 eligibility. Had no settlement been reached, Alexander would have been unable to return from the Dolphins’ IR. Alexander underwent groin surgery this summer.
Alexander, 29, has worked primarily in the slot as a pro. He held that role for Minnesota during much of Mike Zimmer‘s tenure, playing out his rookie contract in the Twin Cities and then returning in 2021 after a Cincinnati one-off. Following Zimmer’s firing, the team did not bring him back; it instead inked ex-Packers slot Chandon Sullivan to a free agency accord. Alexander has 84 career games under his belt; he played 61% of Minnesota’s defensive snaps last season.
Jerry Jones had said the Cowboys would seek out cornerback help but did not express optimism. Alexander being both in his 20s and available at this point in the season could be a break for the contending team. The Cowboys also lost Jourdan Lewis to a season-ending injury in October. They finished Sunday night’s game with DaRon Bland and Kelvin Joseph as the primary options alongside Trevon Diggs. Joseph saw more action as a result of Brown’s injury.