Tag: practice squad elevations

Cowboys elevate TE Sprinkle, DT Hamilton, FB Ralston for MNF vs Eagles

Sprinkle and Hamilton will be COVID replacements for Keanu Neal and Bradlee Anae; the undrafted rookie Ralston will make his NFL debut. | From@ToddBrock24f7

With just a few hours to go before the Cowboys’ Week 3 game at AT&T Stadium, the team has made a handful of roster additions for the home opener against Philadelphia.

Dallas has elevated tight end Jeremy Sprinkle, defensive tackle Justin Hamilton, and fullback Nick Ralston from the practice squad to the active roster for Monday night’s matchup. The winner will take an early lead in the NFC East.

Sprinkle and Hamilton are considered COVID-19 exemptions for linebacker Keanu Neal and defensive end Bradlee Anae.

Sprinkle has been elevated for each of the Cowboys’ three games thus far. He has played only sparingly on offense, but has been on the field for about half of the club’s special teams snaps.

Hamilton saw action in each of the Cowboys’ preseason games in 2021. He logged six tackles over those four games, recording a sack versus Arizona and forcing a fumble against Jacksonville. He played in 10 games for Dallas last season.

For the undrafted rookie and local product Ralston, Monday night’s game will mark his NFL debut.

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Cowboys bring 2 veterans off practice squad for opener vs Bucs

Darian Thompson and Jeremy Sprinkle are gameday elevations to the Dallas roster, and can be moved back down following Week 1. | From @ToddBrock24f7

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.

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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