Cowboys sign veteran DE to bolster depth after Sam Williams injury was revealed to be scary
The Dallas Cowboys have dipped into the free agent pool and signed a veteran defensive end to add depth following the injury to Sam Williams.
The Dallas Cowboys worked out a group of veteran defensive ends on Thursday as the team looks to add some depth at the position following the season-ending ACL injury suffered by Sam Williams.
Dallas worked out Carl Lawson, Justin Hollins, Shaka Toney, and Al-Quadin Muhammad.
After seeing what all of the free agents had to offer, the Cowboys signed Muhammad to a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The 29-year-old Muhammad was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. After one season with the team, he was waived. One day later, Muhammad was claimed by the Indianapolis Colts where he played through the 2021 season.
Muhammad played for the Colts through the 2021 season. In 2022, Muhammad signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Bears but was released one year later.
Muhammed signed a one-year deal to return to the Colts in July 2023 and was a member of the practice squad. However, he was suspended by the NFL for violating the Performance Enhancing Drug policy in December 2023 and was not re-signed.
Throughout his career, Muhammad has recorded 157 total tackles, 12 sacks, and four forced fumbles.
Dallas’ defensive end workout will produce an agreement with Al-Quadin Muhammad. The former Colts defensive end is joining the Cowboys after auditioning for the team today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets.
Muhammad did not see any game action last season but completed a six-sack showing in the not-so-distant past. That came with the 2021 Colts. The Cowboys will see what the veteran can contribute following the news of Sam Williams‘ ACL tear.
While this marks a second Carl Lawson workout that did not lead to a deal over the past week, as the former Bengals and Jets sack artist also auditioned for the Panthers, it represents another opportunity for Muhammad, who was part of the Saints’ trajectory-changing 2017 draft class. Muhammad joined Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk, Marcus Williams, Alvin Kamara, Trey Hendrickson and Alex Anzalone in that group — one that went 4-for-4 in playoff berths from 2017-20 — but was not part of those late-Drew Brees-era squads beyond his rookie year. The Saints waived Muhammad in 2018, leading to a long-term Colts partnership.
Mostly working as a rotational defender in Indianapolis, Muhammad did secure a starting role in 2021 — after the team did not re-sign Justin Houston. Playing under ex-Cowboys linebackers coach Matt Eberflus that year, Muhammad totaled six sacks, 13 QB hits and a forced fumble. This led to a Bears free agent signing (two years, $8MM), though Chicago cut bait after one season.
Should the Cowboys end up keeping Muhammad into the regular season, they would need to wait until Week 2 to deploy him. Muhammad’s return to the Colts in 2023 produced no playing time and a six-game PED suspension. That ban came down with only five games left last season, which will lead to the 29-year-old DE being sidelined for one game to start this campaign.
