The Cowboys have made two late moves in the final lead-up to Thursday night’s season opener in Tampa. As per last year’s rules, a team may bring two players up from the practice squad for gameday only and then return them directly to the practice squad afterward. The rule was intended to offer clubs eleventh-hour substitution help as they dealt with COVID-19. That rule remains in place this season, and the Cowboys are taking full advantage of it.
Safety Darian Thompson and tight end Jeremy Sprinkle were elevated from the practice squad to the gameday roster.
It’s done now: Cowboys TE Jeremy Sprinkle and S Darian Thompson being elevated from practice squad. This was original plan when they were left off 53-man roster. Both in uniform tonight vs. Buccaneers. https://t.co/kHA8UAyOmp
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 9, 2021
Both players will bolster the Cowboys’ bench depth at key positions against the Buccaneers.
Thompson was a part-time starter at safety in 2020 and could step in if needed Thursday. Safety Donovan Wilson suffered a groin injury two weeks ago and only just returned to full participation at practice on Monday. Israel Mukuamu is a rookie and came off the Reserve/COVID list 13 days ago.
Sprinkle is a four-year veteran who would ostensibly serve as the team’s No. 3 tight end. Blake Jarwin sat out nearly all of last season with an ACL injury and was eased back into action during training camp. Dalton Schultz played very well in relief and is now entering a contract year in Dallas, but he is coming off a high ankle sprain suffered in mid-August. Promising youngster Sean McKeon is on short-term IR with a high ankle sprain and will miss at least the first three games of the season.
Both Thompson and Sprinkle would likely see time on special teams in Week 1.
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