The Dallas Cowboys made headlines on Wednesday with a series of unexpected roster moves, signaling their growing concerns over the performance of their interior defensive line. With veteran defensive tackle Jordan Phillips placed on injured reserve (IR) due to a wrist injury, the Cowboys have brought back a familiar face, Carlos Watkins, in a bid to stabilize their shaky defense.
The Cowboys’ defensive line has been underwhelming through the first two games of the season, leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. After trading for Phillips and signing Linval Joseph shortly after training camp, Dallas hoped these moves would shore up their interior defense. Unfortunately, neither player has met expectations. Phillips, in particular, had a forgettable performance against the Saints, punctuated by an ill-advised decision to tackle an already-fallen offensive lineman instead of pursuing quarterback Derek Carr on a crucial play.
Phillips’ poor play was compounded by the wrist injury, forcing the Cowboys to place him on IR, which will sideline him for at least four games. In his absence, the team has turned to Carlos Watkins, signing him off the Washington Commanders’ practice squad. Watkins is no stranger to the Cowboys, having spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons in Dallas, where he started 18 games and recorded one sack, seven tackles for loss, and 37 defensive stops.
JUST IN: Cowboys DT Jordan Phillips has moved to the injured reserve list with a wrist injury.
The Cowboys have signed DT Carlos Watkins to the active roster from the Washington Commanders practice squad.#DallasCowboys
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) September 18, 2024
While Watkins may not be a game-changer, his return could provide some much-needed stability. The Cowboys’ interior defense has struggled mightily, and Watkins’ experience could prove valuable as they navigate through a tough stretch of the season. The team also has to grapple with the reality of a failed trade for Phillips. By placing Phillips on the 46-man roster for two games, the Cowboys gave up their 2026 sixth-round pick to the Giants, adding insult to injury.
Though Watkins failed to make the Commanders and Rams’ 53-man rosters this offseason, Dallas is hoping his addition will be a case of addition by subtraction. Given the underperformance of the defensive tackles so far, Watkins’ return might offer the Cowboys a lifeline as they attempt to recover from a disappointing start.
