Takk McKinley played exactly zero snaps for the Cowboys in 2022. But the veteran defensive end proved valuable enough in his two months on the practice squad that the team has re-signed him for 2023.
The team website announced the agreement to a one-year deal on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old was a first-round selection by the Falcons in 2017, when Dan Quinn was the head coach in Atlanta. Waived late in the 2020 season after logging 79 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 17.5 sacks over 49 games, McKinley spent 2021 with Cleveland but suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 14 of that season. He started 2022 as a member of the Rams, but played only sparingly.
The Cowboys inked the former UCLA Bruin to a practice squad role on November 16. He was elevated to the gameday roster once, but never made it onto the field with what remained of the season.
Dallas traditionally loves to collect players who were first-round draft picks. McKinley’s return now gives the current Cowboys roster 11 of them.
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