The Dallas Cowboys’ safety position just got a much-needed shot in the arm. Juanyeh Thomas is officially back in Dallas after the team signed him following a workout on Tuesday, a move that comes as their secondary is practically falling apart with injuries. This is his second stint with the team, and honestly, the Cowboys are desperate for any help they can get back there right now.
Cowboys’ Secondary is Hanging On By a Thread
You wanna talk about bad luck? The Cowboys’ safety corps is currently decimated. Malik Hooker is nursing a fracture in his forearm and might need another week to heal. P.J. Locke is already on injured reserve with a foot injury, and Jalen Thompson is headed there shortly. Thompson’s got a hamstring injury that is expected to sideline him for 4-6 weeks! That is just brutal. Before Thomas arrived, Dallas was down to just Markquese Bell and Alijah Clark. Seriously, those guys were the only active safeties left. Thomas provides a veteran presence, someone with actual experience playing significant snaps in the NFL. It is a critical signing just to have enough bodies on the field.
Juanyeh Thomas: Back Home After a Wild Ride
Thomas returning to Dallas is like a movie plot. He originally joined the Cowboys in 2022 as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech. He did not make the final roster that year, but he stuck around on the practice squad. Then, in January 2023, he signed a reserve/future contract and *earned* his way onto the final roster after a strong preseason. He saw a lot of action too, logging 190 snaps on defense with one start in 16 games, racking up 22 tackles and four pass breakups. In 2024, he played in 13 games, tallied 14 tackles, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 94 snaps. Last season, 2025, was his biggest year yet, playing 266 snaps in seven games with three starts and amassing 26 total tackles.
However, things took a turn. Last November, he was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list due to chronic migraine headaches that affected his vision. When the offseason hit, Dallas decided not to tender him as a restricted free agent. He signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts in March, but then he was released in August due to those same migraine issues in training camp. Beyond defense, he was a huge contributor on special teams, logging 706 snaps from 2023 to 2025.
So, what does Thomas bring right now? He is a veteran presence, a guy who knows the system and has played significant snaps for this team before. It is still up in the air what he will contribute in 2026, but with the safety room looking like this, the Cowboys need every experienced body they can get. This is not about a flashy play, it is about keeping the defense afloat.
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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