Every year it seems like a few players that aren’t expected to be cut end up being released before the regular season, and it will probably be no different this year for the Dallas Cowboys. So which guys will be a surprise cut on cutdown day? Let’s breakdown some players who might not make this year's Cowboys roster.
Tavon Austin
When the Cowboys traded for Tavon Austin, there was the hope they could rejuvenate his career but injuries and getting lost in the shuffle really hurt him. He finished last year playing only seven games catching eight passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He also had six rushes for 55 yards but wasn't much of a factor in that part of the game either.
The one place that Austin has been a game breaker has been in the kickoff return game, but the team is going to have to decide if he is good enough in that portion of the game to keep him.
The Cowboys brought in Randall Cobb this offseason and also drafted Tony Pollard who both can help in the return game. Austin is going to have to prove that he can do more than just bring the ball back on kickoffs if he wants to make the roster.
Rico Gathers
Most around the Cowboys are excited about Jason Witten coming back, but one guy that has to be very nervous about the move is tight end, Rico Gathers. When the team drafted Gathers after his basketball career ended with the Baylor Bears basketball team, they knew he was going to be a project, and so far that hasn't shown much success.
Last year he was active in 14 games but was almost invisible when he found the field. He was targeted just seven times pulling in three passes for 45 yards.
Blake Jarwin and Dalton Shultz are both ahead of Gathers on the depth chart so Gathers is going to have to prove during training camp and the preseason that the team should keep four tight ends.
If the team only decides to keep three, it will be Gathers who is probably handed the pink slip.
Sean Lee
It is probably a long shot that Sean Lee is cut because what he has meant to the Cowboys for so many years but maybe this is the big shocker that no one sees coming this year. Lee redid his contract this offseason and only has a base salary of $2 million this season.
He is an unrestricted free agent after this season, and it's probably about time Lee hangs up the cleats. Every year Lee suffers some injury that forces him to miss part of the season, and it was no different last year. He only played in seven games last year, starting five of those but when he is on the field, he looks a step slow.
If Lee struggles in the preseason or suffers another injury maybe the team decides to use his roster spot on a younger guy. Perhaps this could be like Terrance Newman last year when he was cut by the Vikings and went right on their coaching staff. Maybe Lee can provide more as a coach rather than a player at this point of his career.
Follow Us
Subscribe