Cowboys Lose Former Undrafted Rookie Special Teams Ace to Lions

The Dallas Cowboys have had quite an eventful day. After an offseason full of contract drama, the Cowboys finally made a decision on superstar linebacker Micah Parsons’ future with the team. Rather than hand him the sort of long-term deal he is clearly worth, Dallas decided to trade him to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two first-round picks and veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark.

Losing Parsons, especially in this manner, is an absolute gut punch for the Cowboys, but he’s not the only player the team has lost recently. After making their roster cuts on Tuesday, Dallas watched one of its top practice squad candidates, defensive end Tyrus Wheat, get claimed by another team off waivers.

Lions Claim Tyrus Wheat After Cowboys’ Release

Wheat did not hear his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he still ended up latching on with the Cowboys. Initially a practice squad player, Wheat ended up getting promoted to the active roster in October. In 12 games, Wheat racked up only three tackles, but he managed to carve out a role for himself on special teams.

In 2024, Wheat played in only eight games, but he got a bit more run on defense, racking up 14 tackles and 0.5 sacks. However, he didn’t make the team’s initial 53-man roster, leading to Dallas releasing him, although it’s worth noting that this was likely done with the intention of bringing him back on the practice squad if he cleared waivers.

That did not end up happening, though, as the Detroit Lions decided to place a waiver claim on Wheat. With no other team ahead of them in the waiver order placing a claim, the Lions managed to shore up their defensive line depth and special teams units, while the Cowboys took another hit in what has been a string of brutal blows.

“As a related aside, Tyrus Wheat was the only player waived by the Cowboys who was claimed by another team, heading to the Detroit Lions for head coach Dan Campbell,” Patrik Walker wrote on the Cowboys’ official website. “Wheat climbed his way up from being an undrafted free agent signing of Dallas’ in 2023 to a key special teamer depth piece at defensive end, but the bottleneck of talent at the edge forced the team into a difficult decision on Wheat.”

Cowboys Suddenly Have Major Holes Along Their Defensive Line

GettyCowboys All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons.

There’s no doubt that losing Wheat hurts, as he was a rotational piece on the d-line who also chipped in on special teams. When you add in the team’s decision to trade Parsons, though, it makes this loss hurt just a little bit more. Dallas is going to need everyone to chip in now that Parsons is gone, but they don’t have Wheat to fall back on as a depth option anymore.

The Cowboys have other players in their defensive front seven who can step up, but no one is going to be able to individually replace what Parsons did for the team’s defense. This is a brutal blow for Dallas, and with Week 1 just seven days away now, they will have to drastically alter their defensive game plan now that their best player is no longer in town.

Vikings’ Jalen Nailor Faces Demotion but Refuses to Fold: “One Chance Is All I Need”

The NFL is unforgiving, and few players know that better than Minnesota Vikings wideout Jalen Nailor. Once hailed as a potential breakout weapon in the passing game, Nailor now finds himself staring down the harsh reality of a demotion. The odds of him producing a stat-sheet explosion this season are slim to none, at least in the eyes of analysts and critics. But if you listen to Nailor, he isn’t ready to let go of his dream — not even close.

For Nailor, the challenge isn’t just about reclaiming his role; it’s about silencing every doubt cast his way. The Vikings’ wide receiver room has grown crowded, with rookies emerging and veterans maintaining their grip on starting spots. Nailor, once penciled in as a sleeper pick to watch, has been pushed down the depth chart. The situation is grim, but instead of sulking, Nailor is choosing defiance. His message is clear: give him one chance, and he’ll make it count.

Teammates and coaches alike have taken notice of his resilience. In practice, Nailor has shown flashes of the speed and playmaking ability that once had fans buzzing. Still, critics remain skeptical, noting how tough it is for a player in his position to break through.

And then came the words that lit up social media:

“I KNOW THE ODDS AREN’T IN MY FAVOR… BUT ALL I NEED IS ONE CHANCE TO PROVE EVERYONE WRONG.” — Jalen Nailor

The quote captures exactly who Nailor is right now — an underdog with nothing to lose and everything to prove. It’s a reminder that in the NFL, fortunes can change in an instant. One key play, one spectacular catch, could swing the narrative completely.

Fans in Minnesota are divided. Some see Nailor as yesterday’s promise fading into the background, while others believe he has the grit to claw his way back into relevance. On social media, supporters rally behind his underdog spirit, calling him “the dark horse no one should sleep on.”

For the Vikings, Nailor’s story reflects a larger truth about the NFL: it’s not always the most talented players who thrive, but the ones who refuse to quit. Whether Nailor becomes a comeback story or just another “what if” will depend on whether his chance arrives — and whether he’s truly ready to seize it.

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