OXNARD, California- The Dallas Cowboys have made several moves during training camp including the signing of safety Tyvis Powell and tackle Lukayus McNeil. In addition, the team cut tight end Rico Gathers.
The Texans waved Tyvis Powell last week and Dallas signed him following the release of Rico Gathers. He joins former teammate Ezekiel Elliott and becomes the fifth Ohio State alum on the roster following Zeke, Noah Brown, Devin Smith, and Mike Weber Jr.
The former Buckeye tallied eight interceptions and 186 tackles in 41 games played from 2013-2015. As a sophomore in 2014, he was named the defensive MVP in Ohio State’s national championship victory against Oregon.
He declared for the 2016 NFL Draft and the Seattle Seahawks signed him as an undrafted free agent following the draft. He learned under the leadership of Kris Richard and was released after the regular season. He has since spent time with several NFL teams, mostly as practice squad stints: Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks (again), San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, San Francisco (again), and the Houston Texans.
He will now join Kris Richard once again and have the opportunity to make the final 53-man roster for America’s Team.
Powell remarked on twitter, “ Whether it’s for one day or the rest of my career, I’m going to give them everything I got. Grateful for another opportunity.”
The Cowboys added additional depth to their offensive line by signing rotational player, Lukayus McNeil who can play both guard or tackle. The team needed help at guard with Zack Martin out with an irritation on a back disc, Cody Wichman’s lower left leg injury, and Connor McGovern is still recovering from a pectoral injury. McNeil provides insurance.
At Louisville, McNeil started 46 games from 2015-2018. He helped the Cardinals average 245.1 yards per game on the ground in 2017. The Cowboys picked him up after the Raiders cut him on Saturday. He now has a chance to learn from innovative coach, Marc Colombo.
The Cowboys made the decision to part ways with Rico Gathers at the beginning of the week. Gathers was a former Baylor basketball star with tremendous rebound ability. The team selected him in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft as a new project. He has struggled to make a name for himself and spent the first two seasons with Dallas on the practice squad.
He got the opportunity to play on the active roster last season and totaled just three catches for 45 yards in 15 game starts.
Jason Garrett remarked on the decision, “ he had a lack of inexperience and he didn’t show the growth we wanted.”
The Cowboys now have three tight ends on the depth chart: Jason Witten, Blake Jarwin, and Dalton Schultz.
