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Cowboys Sign WR T.Y Hilton

December 12th, 2022 at 2:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cowboys have long been connected to one free agent wideout, but they have reached agreement with a different one. Dallas is set to sign T.Y. Hilton, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The club has confirmed the move.

The 33-year-old had a workout earlier today, and it has produced a one-year deal, per a team announcement. The move will provide the Cowboys with an experienced pass-catcher on, presumably, a low-cost pact which will leave them with financial flexibility for any further signings.

Hilton had spent his entire 10-year career with the Colts, where he established himself as one of the top receivers in franchise history. His tenure there included four consecutive Pro Bowls between 2014 and 2017. The former third-rounder led the NFL in receiving yards in 2016, remaining a consistent deep threat for most of the years following that campaign. Injuries began to take a toll in recent years, however.

As a result, it became increasingly unlikely over the course of this past offseason that a new deal would come to fruition keeping him in Indianapolis. Hilton nearly signed with the Ravens as a free agent in 2021, but returned to the Colts on a one-year deal. Now, he will head to a playoff-bound Cowboys team which has faced plenty of questions at the WR position.

The trade sending Amari Cooper to the Browns left CeeDee Lamb as the team’s undisputed No. 1 receiver. Michael Gallup missed time at the start of the season due to his recovery from an ACL tear, though, and free agent signing James Washington was just activated from IR. Hilton will likely be able to occupy a complimentary role as Dallas looks to find greater consistency in the passing game down the stretch.

Of course, this deal comes within the context of the Cowboys’ long and public pursuit of Odell Beckham Jr. The free agent was considered a near-lock to be joining Dallas not long ago, but concerns over his health have led to a markedly different expectation for what he would be able to contribute for any team he joins in 2022. At this point, no deal is considered imminent on the Beckham front – something which no doubt influenced this pivot to Hilton.

Hilton’s first action as a Cowboy could come as soon as this Sunday when Dallas visits Jacksonville. A strong showing with his new team could spark a postseason run, and help build his free agent value heading into the offseason.

Jerry Jones: Cowboys Still In Contact With Odell Beckham Jr.

December 12th, 2022 at 12:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

DECEMBER 12: With Beckham’s visits now complete, all three teams which hosted him are “in a holding pattern,” as detailed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He adds that nothing is imminent, and no details from a financial standpoint have been discussed — something which comes as little surprise at this point, given the widespread belief that the veteran will not suit up until the 2022 postseason at the earliest. Still, the Cowboys, Giants and Bills are “confident” in Beckham’s ACL recovery, so a deal is not out of the question.

DECEMBER 9: The Cowboys have gone from the Odell Beckham Jr. frontrunners to outright skeptics about his potential 2022 contributions. While this potential partnership has encountered turbulence, Jerry Jones said an agreement could still happen.

It is now widely known Beckham is not on track to play during the regular season. The high-profile free agent said as much during a Thursday-night appearance on LeBron James’ The Shop (video link via Amazon). Coming to grips with this somewhat unexpected reality, Jones confirmed the sides are still talking.

“Yes, we’re still in contact. Yes. Yes. Yes,” Jones said during his latest 105.3 The Fan appearance (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota, on Twitter). “Is there a timeline? Probably the fact that time is ticking in terms of getting in here and really initiating the heavy work in rehab to get there for the playoffs if it’s gonna happen.”

Beckham, 30, said he wanted to sign somewhere weeks ahead of the playoffs, though he made a somewhat strange point about eschewing regular-season activity. Previously, OBJ’s Cowboys visit had produced a consensus he would not be healthy enough to contribute during the regular season — something Jones said would impact a signing — but his most recent comments suggest apathy toward joining a new team and playing right away.

“I’ve played football for a long time,” Beckham said. “I’m not saying that I couldn’t step in and play regular season, but I don’t see the point. I really don’t. I would rather play when that pressure’s on. I’d rather play when the lights is on.”

While Beckham is nearly 10 months’ removed from his second ACL tear, this stance would not give teams too much confidence he would be ready to make major contributions in the playoffs. Beckham signing quickly would give him assimilation time, but teams then being asked to trot him out in a regular role in a high-stakes game represents an interesting scenario. Beckham’s Rams late-season acclimation window proved pivotal, and he built on that in the playoffs to help his third NFL team win Super Bowl LVI. Reports throughout the offseason pegged November or early December as the expected Beckham return point. It suddenly turning into playoffs-or-nothing has brought a plot twist.

Beckham also said he and ex-Giants teammate Saquon Barkley had unfinished business during their brief run as teammates (video link). The former’s 2019 trade to the Browns capped the standouts’ time together as Giants to one season (2018). Barkley zoomed to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors that year, while Beckham topped 1,000 receiving yards — before an injury shut him down. Sterling Shepard also said Beckham would like to return to the Giants, but money and this availability issue could impede a path back to the Big Apple.

The Cowboys did not offer Beckham a deal and have doubts about his ability to contribute before even February. It is not known how the Bills or Giants feel regarding his potential unavailability until at least the playoffs, but he remains without a team as Week 14 nears. This saga is showing no signs of slowing down.

Cowboys RT Terence Steele Suffers Torn ACL; Latest On Tyron Smith

December 12th, 2022 at 10:55am CST by Adam La Rose

10:55am: Confirming the team’s worst fears, Steele has suffered a torn ACL (Twitter link via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler). That will end his season, and leave the Cowboys with a significant hole to fill on the right side of their o-line.

9:59am: The Cowboys survived an upset scare versus the Texans on Sunday, but their offensive line lost a starter for what could be an extended stretch. Right tackle Terence Steele suffered what is feared to be serious knee injury, as noted (on Twitter) by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Steele, 25, was assured the full-time right tackle role this offseason when the Cowboys let La’el Collins depart in free agency. The Texas Tech alum had seen plenty of playing time prior to that, of course, but the decision represented a vote of confidence in him. To date, Steele had proven to be worthy of the first-team role, continuing his career progression.

The former UDFA earned an underwhelming PFF grade as a rookie, but took a step forward last year. That continued into 2022, as Steele’s 75.3 rating ranks him in the top 20 in the NFL amongst offensive tackles. Any extended absence would therefore be notable for Dallas and their offense; Rapoport adds that more will be known following Steele’s MRI.

In more positive news for the Cowboys, Tyron Smith could suit up in Week 15 against the Jaguars. The eight-time Pro Bowler returned to practice this past week, opening the team’s three-week window within which they must activate him if he is to play in 2022. Rapoport notes that Smith made sufficient progress during the week that suiting up against Jacksonville is “very possible.” That would provide the team with a significant boost up front, and help offset any absence necessitated by Steele’s injury.

Smith’s return, it is already known, will see him take up his familiar spot as a blindside protector. That will move first-round rookie Tyler Smith inside, giving the team several other options at guard including Connor McGovern and veteran free agent signing Jason Peters. How they respond at the spot opposite Tyron Smith, however, could be worth watching in the latter stages of the regular season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/10/22

December 10th, 2022 at 7:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are the minor moves around the league in advance of the Week 14 slate of games:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Cowboys To Activate WR James Washington

December 10th, 2022 at 9:41am CST by Ben Levine

While the NFL awaits the outcome of the OBJ sweepstakes, the Cowboys are still making other moves at the position. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Cowboys are activating wide receiver James Washington from injured reserve.

[RELATED: Cowboys Still In Contact With Odell Beckham Jr.]

Washington joined the Cowboys this offseason but a foot injury forced him on IR before the start of the season. There seemed to be growing optimism that Washington would be ready for tomorrow’s game against the Texans, with Patrik Walker of the team’s website writing that the receiver ramped up his workload over the past few days. Washington was designated to return late last week.

“I feel great,” Washington told Walker. “From four weeks ago to now, I feel a lot stronger in my plants and catching the ball in general. It’s kind of like riding a bike at this point. Once you start doing it, it all just feels natural.”

A former second-round pick, Washington was productive during his sophomore campaign with the Steelers, hauling in 44 receptions for 735 yards and three touchdowns. His numbers dropped in 2020 and 2021, with the wideout compiling 54 receptions for 677 yards and seven touchdowns between the two seasons.

CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup lead the WR room, with Noah Brown, rookie Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin filling out the depth chart. Washington should easily slide onto the roster, but things would get interesting if the Cowboys also add Odell Beckham Jr. to the mix.

Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order

December 8th, 2022 at 2:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL now has its first teams eliminated from playoff contention. The Texans and Bears, as they essentially have been doing throughout this season, are playing for next year. Other eliminations will soon follow, as the league’s playoff picture heats up.

Through that lens, the 2023 draft order will become an increasingly more pertinent topic. The 2023 draft will present an interesting subplot near its outset. Traded picks are set to produce early selections for the Seahawks, Lions and Eagles. Each of those picks currently land in the top five, as the teams on the other end of those trades — the Broncos, Rams and Saints — have disappointed, spectacularly so in Los Angeles and Denver’s cases.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2022 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is how the draft order would look entering Week 14:

  1. Houston Texans: 1-10-1
  2. Chicago Bears: 3-9
  3. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos)
  4. Detroit Lions (via Rams)
  5. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints)
  6. Carolina Panthers: 4-8
  7. Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-8
  8. Arizona Cardinals: 4-8
  9. Indianapolis Colts: 4-8-1
  10. Atlanta Falcons: 5-8
  11. Green Bay Packers: 5-8
  12. Las Vegas Raiders: 5-7
  13. Houston Texans (via Browns)
  14. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5-7
  15. Detroit Lions: 5-7
  16. Los Angeles Chargers: 6-6
  17. New England Patriots: 6-6
  18. Washington Commanders: 7-5-1
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-6*
  20. Seattle Seahawks: 7-5*
  21. Tennessee Titans: 7-5*
  22. New York Jets: 7-5*
  23. New York Giants: 7-4-1*
  24. Denver Broncos (via 49ers through Dolphins)*
  25. Baltimore Ravens: 8-4*
  26. Cincinnati Bengals: 8-4*
  27. Dallas Cowboys: 9-3*
  28. Kansas City Chiefs: 9-3*
  29. Minnesota Vikings: 10-2*
  30. Buffalo Bills: 9-3*
  31. Philadelphia Eagles: 11-1*

* = Denotes playoff team

The 2023 first round will resemble 2008 and 2016, when the Patriots were docked their Round 1 pick for their respective “gate” scandals. This year’s Dolphins saga never developed “gate” status, but the team lost a 2023 first-round pick and 2024 third-rounder due to the Tom Brady–Sean Payton tampering case. Thus, a 31-pick first round will commence.

While the Broncos, Rams and Browns lost their first-round picks due to trades for quarterbacks, the Saints passed theirs to the Eagles in this year’s pre-draft trade that allowed New Orleans a path toward moving up for Chris Olave. The No. 16 pick which was initially transferred from the Colts to the Eagles in 2021’s Carson Wentz trade was then moved to the Saints, netting Philadelphia a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second.

Cowboys Did Not Make Offer To Odell Beckham Jr.

December 7th, 2022 at 2:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

2:14pm: For what it’s worth, Jones said the team is still “working on it” with regards to a Beckham agreement, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota (on Twitter). It just does not seem nearly as likely to come to pass as it did before OBJ arrived for his visit.

12:54pm: Tuesday brought twists in the Odell Beckham Jr.-Cowboys saga, and the parties appear to be drifting apart. After entering this run of free agency visits as the favorite to land Beckham, the Cowboys ended their set of meetings without making an offer, Jane Slater of NFL.com reports (video link).

A run of information about Beckham’s Cowboys physical differed from the scant intel that emerged from the veteran wideout’s Giants and Bills visits. Beckham return timetables loosely pegged November or December as windows for the eight-year receiver to return, but Slater adds the Cowboys left their visit uncertain if he would even be available if they were to play in Super Bowl LVII. Beckham, of course, has been rehabbing an ACL tear from Super Bowl LVI.

Tuesday night’s report indicated Dallas was not expecting Beckham to be ready before the playoffs, but Beckham’s camp did mention the receiver is on track to be available for a team by the postseason. That aligns with what Beckham told Micah Parsons, who said the recent Cowboys guest informed him it will be five weeks before he expects to return, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Clarence Hill (on Twitter). Following his Cowboys visit, Beckham tweeted a pawn emoji. With the Cowboys long having been the frontrunners, Beckham may need to weigh his other options.

Not seeing Beckham work out affected the Cowboys’ perception here, Slater adds. Jerry Jones said he could not express confidence in OBJ’s potential availability. Despite Jones expressing steady praise for the former Giants, Browns and Rams playmaker, it certainly looks like this signing will not happen. Jones wants Beckham to contribute during the Cowboys’ regular season, Ed Werder of ESPN.com adds, noting that he does not expect an agreement (Twitter link).

While the Chiefs and Ravens also loomed as suitors leading up to Beckham’s scheduled meetings elsewhere, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk mentions the Eagles as potential OBJ lurkers (Twitter link). Philadelphia has A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in place as a high-end duo, with Quez Watkins operating as the team’s No. 3 wideout. The Rams swooped in late for Beckham last year, despite having Robert Woods healthy alongside Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson. Woods’ injury happened shortly after Beckham signed and created a clearer need, but Los Angeles pursued OBJ with a deep receiver arsenal. Will Philly do the same?

Beckham, 30, has been connected to an unrealistic price point — the $20MM-per-year Chris Godwin–Mike Williams range — and a deal that runs beyond 2022. Beckham could have aimed for a contract in this ballpark in free agency, had he not suffered a second ACL tear in his left knee in February, but there probably is not a strong option — financially speaking, at least — out there at this point. The Rams’ incentive-laden offer earlier this fall irked their former hired-gun pass catcher, who finished his initial ACL rehab in 11 months. The playoffs would mark an 11-month turnaround this time.

Beckham can attempt to bolster his free agency value by trying to make a postseason impact somewhere, or he can regroup and shut down efforts to play this season with an eye toward a 2023 free agency accord.

Cowboys’ Tyron Smith Returns To Practice

December 7th, 2022 at 11:57am CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys will have Tyron Smith back at practice Wednesday, Mike McCarthy said. The previously outlined plan will start the All-Decade tackle’s three-week activation clock.

Smith has not gone through a practice since suffering a torn hamstring — subsequently revealed to be an avulsion fracture — during an August 24 workout. The injury-prone standout underwent surgery and has worked his way back. His 12th-season debut appears imminent, with the Cowboys long identifying December as the window for his comeback.

Because the Cowboys are starting Smith’s IR-return clock now, he must be moved back to their 53-man roster during the regular season. Smith’s injury history does not exactly guarantee he will be back manning his post when first eligible Sunday, but Dallas has been planning on him being back at left tackle soon.

The 2011 first-round pick coming back will lead to Dallas’ 2022 first-round blocker — Tyler Smith — relocating. The younger Smith had been in a left guard battle with Connor McGovern prior to Tyron Smith’s setback. Although the Cowboys signed Jason Peters, they ended up moving Tyler Smith to left tackle and shuttling the nine-time Pro Bowl blindside bastion to guard. The prospect of both Smiths, McGovern and Peters being available would stand to strengthen both the Cowboys’ starting lineup and their depth up front.

Despite being part of the stellar 2011 draft, Tyron Smith is only set to turn 32 next week. He is attached to (by far) the longest-running contract in the NFL — an eight-year, $97.6MM deal agreed to back in 2014 — and is signed through 2023. Somewhat surprisingly, the 6-foot-8 specimen never came back to the table about a contract that paid him in line with the new going rate at his position. When healthy, Smith remains one of the game’s best tackles. He landed his eighth Pro Bowl invite last season, helping the Cowboys back to the playoffs.

Injuries have impacted Smith consistently. He missed 14 games in 2020 due to a neck issue and was out for six games last year. From 2016-19, Smith missed three games in each season. It will be interesting to see if Smith can surmount this hamstring issue and team up with his heir apparent to strengthen the Cowboys’ best team in at least six years. It will also be worth monitoring how Tyler Smith looks at guard. The Tulsa product has only played tackle in college or the pros, having started all 12 Cowboys games at left tackle. Pro Football Focus rates Tyler Smith 51st among tackles this season.

Latest On WR Odell Beckham Jr.

December 6th, 2022 at 9:44pm CST by Ben Levine

Odell Beckham Jr.‘s third and final visit has concluded, but it’s uncertain if a contract is imminent. Josina Anderson tweets that the wideout’s visit with the Cowboys concluded earlier this evening. This followed reports from earlier today that Dallas was concerned about OBJ’s knee.

[RELATED: Cowboys Concerned About OBJ’s Health]

Throughout the sweepstakes, there’s been persistent skepticism that OBJ would be able to contribute this season after suffering a torn ACL during last season’s Super Bowl. After opining earlier today that any team signing the wideout wouldn’t benefit until the 2023 campaign, Ed Werder adds (on Twitter) that the Cowboys “should not reasonably expect OBJ to play before [the] postseason.” Werder adds that Jerry Jones has been consistent in his assertion that a receiver acquistion needs to contribute during the regular season, but with only five games remaining, there’s a chance the executive’s stance has changed.

The wideout met with the Cowboys this week after previously meeting with the Giants and Bills. Unless something changed during tonight’s meeting, the Giants were the only reported team to put OBJ through an actual workout. This only adds uncertainty to OBJ’s readiness, although the wideout was cleared to return to the field in November.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is raising an eyebrow to the sudden leaks surrounding OBJ’s playing status. A league source told Florio that the negative info is “astounding” and wondered how the player could “even consider signing there now.” That same source questioned if the Cowboys are simply going through the motions to placate fans, and that would add to a previous sentiment that Dallas was only trying to drive up the price on their division rival.

There may be more to the Cowboys’ public posturing. Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that the two sides were “still aways apart” with contract negotiations heading into tonight’s meeting. Previous reports indicated that Beckham was seeking a multiyear offer with a $20MM-plus AAV, although that was always considered to be unrealistic. The Rams offered an incentive-laden deal when they pursued OBJ earlier this season, but the receiver was quick to dismiss that arrangement.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/6/22

December 6th, 2022 at 7:57pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

  • Signed: QB Davis Cheek

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

  • Released: OL George Moore

Denver Broncos

  • Signed:WR Kaden Davis, QB Jarrett Guarantano
  • Released: LB Zach McCloud

Las Vegas Raiders

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

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