Dallas Cowboys open Jonathan Bullard’s 21-day practice window
FRISCO, Texas The Dallas Cowboys opened the 21-day practice window for defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard on Oct. 29, the team announced. The window allows Bullard to practice while he remains on injured reserve and gives the club up to 21 days to decide whether to activate him to the 53-man roster. The Cowboys have used six of their eight Reserve/Injured-designated-to-return spots this season, increasing the importance of each decision. If the team activates Bullard, it must clear a spot on the 53-man roster.
Bullard played in the first three games, recording three tackles and a half-sack before he was injured in the Baltimore game in Rio and placed on injured reserve on Sept. 30. The opening of his practice window permits coaches to evaluate him in practice during the 21-day period. Bullard will remain on IR while the club assesses whether he can return to game action this season. Any activation would use one of the limited IR-designated-to-return slots the Cowboys have available.
Two other players have returned to practice after opening 21-day windows earlier in October. The Cowboys opened outside linebacker Marist Liufau’s window on Oct. 22 and safety P.J. Locke’s window on Oct. 23, and both have practiced while remaining on IR. Liufau is listed with a wrist injury and Locke with a foot injury; both have been available in limited fashion during practice sessions. Activating either player would likewise require the team to make a corresponding move on the 53-man roster.
The club also announced several roster moves this month, including waiving/injured tight end D.J. Rogers and waiving running back Emari Demercado on Oct. 27. The Cowboys signed quarterback Kyle Trask to the practice squad and added safety Juanyeh Thomas to the active roster on Oct. 20. Earlier actions included acquiring cornerback Joey Porter in a trade on Oct. 1 and placing safety Jalen Thompson and Bullard on injured reserve on Sept. 30. The team continues to adjust its 53-man roster and practice squad as injuries and opportunities arise during the regular season.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Opening Bullard’s 21-day window gives the Cowboys a chance to evaluate a defensive tackle who contributed in the first three games before his injury. With six of eight IR-return designations already used, the team must weigh roster flexibility carefully before activating any player from IR. The practice returns of Liufau and Locke provide the coaching staff options at outside linebacker and safety as the Cowboys manage injuries during the regular season. How the club uses its remaining IR-designated-to-return slots will influence its roster decisions in the coming weeks.