The Dallas Cowboys open the 2022 NFL regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 11 at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys don't have any big-name decisions to make, but they will have plenty of choices regarding roster gymnastics based on players' health and roles. Owner/general manager Jerry Jones said wide receiver Michael Gallup will open the season on the 53-man roster even if he doesn't play the first two weeks because of his knee injury. In order for wide receiver James Washington, out at least the first six weeks because of foot surgery, to be eligible to play later in the season, he needs to be on the active roster for a day.
On defense, they appear to have too many pieces who can make the roster, especially along the defensive line, which could lead to some low-level trades for conditional draft picks or maybe a veteran offensive tackle.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Dak Prescott, Will Grier
Grier takes the job from Cooper Rush to be Prescott's backup, but Rush could be brought back to the practice squad because he has a good influence in the quarterback room.