Cowboys Sign 6-Foot-5 Vet in First Move After NFL Trade Deadline
The latest Dallas Cowboys news following the trade deadline may not be the kind fans are wanting. The Cowboys signed veteran offensive tackle Dakoda Shepley to the team’s practice squad. It was the only move Dallas made on the day of NFL trade deadline.
The 6-foot-5, 290 pound veteran played four games for Dallas in 2022 after previous stints in Seattle and San Francisco. Shepley has had an interesting history with the Cowboys as the team had the offensive lineman claimed by the Colts in January after the team released him.
Dallas had planned to re-sign Shepley to the team’s practice squad but Indianapolis thwarted those plans heading into the postseason. Shepley has experience playing both tackle and center during his NFL career.
Now, Shepley is added to a Cowboys offensive line that is dealing with several injuries. Tyron Smith was sidelined in Week 8 with a neck issue, while Chuma Edoga sustained an injury in the matchup against the Rams.
Prior to the trade deadline, owner Jerry Jones admitted that the team’s depth on the offensive line was less than ideal. Jones also indicated that it would be challenging to find help at the position via trade.
“No, I really meant it when I said it last week,” Jones told reporters on October 29. “It doesn’t look like we’re going to do anything [at the trade deadline], and it has to do with our communication around the league. And really what logically we could do.
“If you really looked at our team right now, the biggest need is definitely the offensive line, really. More so, than any place is. And so, one of the problems with that is that you just about can say that about every team there is. And when I say depth, somebody that can step up there and play like we had to step up today [against the Rams] that kind of depth playing, starting [in place of someone] kind of deal.”
