Cowboys' Waiver Loss Highlights Roster Cut Fallout
As NFL teams trimmed rosters to the 53-man limit ahead of the 2026-27 season, the Dallas Cowboys saw one of their preseason standouts claimed by another club. Defensive back Julius Wood, released as part of the Cowboys' final cuts, was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins, according to multiple reports. The loss came despite Dallas's hope of sneaking Wood back onto the practice squad.
Wood was one of seven players the Dolphins claimed on Monday, and one of two the Cowboys lost to other clubs—guard Trevor Keegan was claimed by the Minnesota Vikings. Dallas also released quarterback Joe Milton, whom they had acquired from the New England Patriots in a trade last April, as reported by Heavy.
Wood's Preseason Performance and the Decision to Waive Him
Wood had a productive preseason, recording 16 tackles in three games while starting the second exhibition against the Arizona Cardinals, according to Heavy. He played 104 defensive snaps and 18 special-teams snaps, earning an 82.3 grade from Pro Football Focus against the Seattle Seahawks and a 75.5 grade against Arizona. He led the Dallas defense with five tackles in that game, including one on special teams.
Wood left the Cardinals game with a concussion but was able to play in the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints, where he had four tackles while playing 38 snaps. Sports Illustrated reported that Wood's tackle totals were five against Seattle, seven against Arizona, and six against New Orleans, giving him 18 in total. The discrepancy in the reported numbers could not be reconciled from the available information.
Despite his output, Wood was not able to secure a spot in the Cowboys' safety group, which features veterans Malik Hooker and Jalen Thompson as starters, with J. Locke and Alijah Clark as backups, as detailed by Heavy. According to Sports Illustrated, Wood was beaten out by Alijah Clark, an undrafted free agent from Syracuse who appeared in 11 games last year and played 174 special-teams snaps. The coaching staff valued Clark's contributions, which left Wood exposed to waivers.
The Cowboys' roster decisions were part of the broader cutdown process. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed the human aspect of the cuts, saying the team had to move on from some "incredible young men and really good football players," as reported by Sports Illustrated. Dallas also released running back Jaydon Blue, cornerback Reddy Steward, and defensive tackle Tommy Dunn as part of the final cuts.
A History of Waiver Claims and a Fresh Start in Miami
Wood's journey to the Dolphins is not his first encounter with the waiver wire. He signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of East Carolina in 2024, and after being released before final cuts, he was claimed by the Tennessee Titans. He played in nine games as a rookie, posting two tackles while playing 115 special-teams snaps, according to Heavy. Wood was also suspended for six games in 2024 for a positive performance-enhancing drug test.
He returned to Dallas in 2025 after being a late cut by Tennessee, according to Sports Illustrated, but never appeared in a regular-season game for the Cowboys last season. This year, the Dolphins—who went 0-3 in the preseason and were outscored 63-22, the league's worst preseason point differential—claimed Wood and placed him on their 53-man roster.
For the Cowboys, the loss of Wood is offset by the addition of players to the practice squad. The team announced an initial 13-player practice squad, which includes running back Israel Abanikanda, linebacker Justin Barron, defensive tackle Tommy Dunn, wide receiver Jordan Hudson, offensive tackle Marcellus Johnson, cornerback Derion Kendrick, wide receiver Anthony Smith, tight end Michael Trigg, outside linebacker Isaiah Land, offensive lineman Nick Leverett, defensive tackle Adedayo Odeleye, linebacker Curtis Robinson, and cornerback Reddy Steward.
Because Odeleye was added as an International Pathway Program player, the Cowboys have an extra spot, allowing them to carry up to 17 players on the practice squad. They currently have 13 signed. Practice squad players can be elevated to the active roster a maximum of three times per season before they must be signed, and they can be signed by other teams but must be added to the active roster for at least three weeks. These rules were outlined by Sports Illustrated.
Looking Ahead
The Cowboys' defense struggled last season, ranking 32nd in points allowed and 30th in yards allowed, according to Heavy. The team has undergone a roster overhaul during the offseason, aiming for a bounce-back season. While losing Wood is a blow, the Cowboys will look to fill gaps through their rebuilt practice squad and continued roster moves.