The clock ran out on more than just the scoreboard Friday night. While the Dallas Cowboys dropped a 27-24 battle to the New Orleans Saints, the real story emerged in the fallout for several players fighting for their NFL lives. With final rosters due on August 30, the margins were razor thin for those operating on the periphery, and some simply wilted when the lights got bright. Dallas has most of its roster spots locked down, unlike many teams coming off losing seasons, which meant those few open spots were fiercely contested. Despite admirable performances from Jaishawn Barham, Camden Brown, and Joe Milton III, too many others fell short when it mattered most.
Michael Trigg’s Prized Potential Just Wasn’t Enough
Remember Michael Trigg? That undrafted rookie tight end from Baylor? Cowboys Nation was hyped from the jump. He was supposed to be the prized guy this year, an above-the-rim talent with crazy potential. Sure, he had some character concerns and wasn’t exactly a blocking specialist, but those were overlooked because everyone expected him to dazzle with his ball skills. Sadly, Friday night against the Saints was anything but dazzling. Trigg showed a willingness to block, which is something, but he just wasn’t good at it. Worse still, he absolutely struggled to catch the ball. After that showing, his place on the Cowboys’ final 53-man roster looks like a serious longshot. What a brutal turn for a player who carried so much hope into camp.
Carson and Williams Fumble Their Last Swings
It wasn’t just Trigg who failed to rise to the occasion. Caelen Carson, a cornerback praised as a solid practice player, once again folded under the pressure of a real game. His first two performances this summer were totally forgettable, and Friday night didn’t change a thing. While he reportedly showed more resiliency than before, Carson still couldn’t get it together. He struggled in coverage, missed tackles, and was plagued by penalties. You just can’t make those mistakes when roster spots are disappearing. Then there’s Sam Williams, a defensive end who was once a “pet project” from the Dan Quinn era. Dallas has been waiting for him to live up to his potential for ages, and re-signing him on a one-year, $2.5 million deal this offseason was supposed to be his last shot. What did he do against the Saints? More of the same. Williams still flashes enough to remind you he’s talented, but he botched enough plays to confirm he’s usually a net negative on the field. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a guy playing for his career.
So, as Saturday, August 30 rolls around, the Cowboys have some tough decisions. The official 53-man roster is due, and after that 27-24 loss, it’s clear Michael Trigg, Caelen Carson, and Sam Williams probably won’t be on it. For these guys, the regular season won’t even start with this team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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