Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Patterson/AP/Shutterstock (13388030ii) Dallas Cowboys defensive end Tarell Basham (93) rushes against Tristan Wirfs (78) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in Arlington, Texas Buccaneers Cowboys Football, Arlington, United States – 11 Sep 2022
Cowboys waive DE Tarell Basham
The Dallas Cowboys have officially released pass-rusher Tarell Basham from the roster. The move leaves Dallas with 52 players on the current roster, which leaves open the possibility of a practice squad elevation, an IR return, or an outside signing.
Basham, 28, has appeared in two games this season for the Cowboys and has not logged a sack or a tackle. Both games he appeared in were losses for Dallas; Week 1 in Tampa Bay and Week 10 in Green Bay. After being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, he spent about a season and a half with Indy before being waived and picked up by the New York Jets. He spent two additional seasons with the Jets before the Cowboys signed him to a two-year contract in 2021.
Basham has made 18 starts in his career, including six for Dallas, all of which came last season. He has recorded 11 sacks in his six-year career.
The Cowboys had a surplus of pass rushers on the roster, especially since signing former first-round pick Takk McKinley who has experience playing under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Also, with Micah Parsons logging more snaps on the edge, the available field time for the edge group has shrunk. Along with Parsons, Dallas now has a group consisting of DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, and rookie Sam Williams.
As for the potential future roster moves, Basham’s release opens up a wide variety of possibilities on the Cowboys’ front. They could elevate a player from the practice squad, but other avenues exist. Veteran left tackle Tyron Smith is reportedly close to returning to practice, so Dallas needed to open up a spot anyway to make room for him.
However, what most fans are hoping for is for this move to lead to the signing of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. OBJ has been in Dallas’ sights for several weeks, and the opening of a roster spot could be foreshadowing an explosive move that would get the fan base excited. Reports are that a deal between the two could happen next week if it were to happen at all.
The Cowboys are set to play the Indianapolis Colts in Dallas on Sunday Night Football.
