The Dallas Cowboys have signed tight end Mitch Van Vooren, as reported by Todd Archer of ESPN and Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The move comes as the team deals with injuries at the position, with Michael Trigg and D.J. Rogers both unavailable for the recent game against the Arizona Cardinals. In a corresponding move, the Cowboys waived defensive tackle Kelvin Gilliam.
Van Vooren, 25, brings a varied football background. He entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2025, signing with the Seattle Seahawks, who cut him on June 13. He then signed with the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 4 before being waived on Aug. 24. Van Vooren also spent part of the offseason with the New England Patriots.
During his college career, Van Vooren earned first-team All-NACC honors at St. Norbert, recording 33 receptions for 510 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season. He began his collegiate athletic career as a track athlete at Marquette, where he set the school record in the 400-meter hurdles.
Injury Context and Roster Decisions
The Cowboys' tight end group has been thin. Michael Trigg, who impressed in the preseason opener, did not play against the Arizona Cardinals due to a toe injury. D.J. Rogers also missed that game because of an injury, leaving Dallas with just two healthy tight ends in Luke Schoonmaker and Zack Kuntz for that contest.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer had hinted at the possibility of adding a tight end. "We're looking at that," Schottenheimer said, adding, "I would expect us to add a tight end." He also praised Kuntz's performance against Arizona: "Talk about Zack Kuntz, I mean, he played really well. Was a little nervous getting in there at first. Got popped one time, and that kind of helped settle him down a little bit. He had the fourth-down drop, but he played really well."
At 6-5 and 255 pounds, Van Vooren offers size and athleticism, and he could compete for a practice squad spot as the team prepares for its final preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Friday.