Kelvin Joseph

Cowboys Place DT Neville Gallimore, CB Kelvin Joseph On IR

Two young Cowboys contributors will miss at least the team’s September portion of the season. Both defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and rookie cornerback Kelvin Joseph will begin their seasons on IR.

Gallimore is recovering from a dislocated elbow, while Joseph suffered a groin injury during Dallas’ preseason finale last week. While each is expected to return this season, neither can do so before Week 4. Gallimore’s timeline lines up with that return date.

The Cowboys made Joseph one of their top additions this offseason, one in which numerous resources went to a defensive repair effort. Dallas selected Joseph 44th overall. The 20-year-old defender who played at LSU and Kentucky was unlikely to begin the season in the Cowboys’ starting lineup, but this represents a setback to start his pro career.

Dallas also placed tackle Josh Ball, wide receiver Malik Turner and tight end Sean McKeon on IR. This batch of moves will free up roster spots for a few players coming off the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list. CeeDee Lamb, safety Damontae Kazee and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins are coming off the coronavirus list Thursday.

Cowboys Sign Round 2 CB Kelvin Joseph

For the second straight year, the Cowboys selected a cornerback in the second round. They came to terms with that draftee, Kelvin Joseph, on his rookie contract Thursday, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweets.

Joseph will be locked in through the 2024 season. The Kentucky product should be expected to contribute early on a retooled Cowboys defense, which now has Dan Quinn at the controls. The Cowboys went defense with their first six picks, which is understandable after the unit’s woeful 2020 showing.

Dallas gave up a franchise-record 473 points, which eclipsed the franchise’s previous high of 436 (in 2010). They ranked 28th in scoring and 23rd in total defense. The team let Byron Jones walk in free agency last year and opted against re-signing Chidobe Awuzie in March; Awuzie is now with the Bengals. The Cowboys did bring back Jourdan Lewis, however, and will pair Joseph with 2020 second-round pick Trevon Diggs. Third-rounder Nahshon Wright joins Joseph as a Day 2 arrival who will attempt to carve out an early role in Dallas.

Joseph transferred from LSU to Kentucky, playing one season with the Wildcats. He made it count, intercepting four passes and taking one back for a touchdown. The 5-foot-11 defender only played 15 games in his college career, however. After playing in six for LSU as a true freshman in 2018, he transferred and sat out 2019.

Three Cowboy draft picks remain unsigned. All were chosen in the third round, which annually produces longer negotiations due to murkier CBA language regarding rookie contracts.