FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys will release defensive tackle Justin Hamilton on Friday to make room for Michael Bennett on the roster.
The Cowboys’ signed Hamilton to replace Tyrone Crawford’s spot on the 53 after he was placed on injured reserve. Hamilton spent time with the Bills, Seahawks, Eagles, and Chiefs with one career start in eight games. He was on the Seahawks’ practice squad in 2016 when Kris Richard was Seattle’s passing game coordinator.
Dallas announced on Thursday that the team made a trade with the New England Patriots for defensive end Michael Bennett and Hamilton’s fate was sealed. The Cowboys will use the three-time pro bowl player to fill Crawford’s shoes. Bennett, the 34-year-old veteran, will be a rotational player behind Quinn at right defensive end and can play in the interior at nose tackle or under tackle in nickel packages.
Jerry Jones remarked on Bennett’s role per 105.3 The Fan, “ He gives us outstanding position flex in terms of adding some pass rush or some pressure, whether it be outside at defensive end or inside at what we call our three-technique or opposite from the nose guard. He’s just an established inside guy. The thing about Michael is he’s got great motor. Boy, he plays with a lot of passion and enthusiasm. It can be said that he’s not the same guy once he straps on that helmet just in terms of his—he’s really a great personality, a great guy. But, boy, when he gets in that football pad, he gets after it. And so, that’s exciting. He played well against us every time we played him. He played well against us last year with Philadelphia. So, the scheme they had him working in up in New England, which had a lot to do with us being traded for him, probably didn’t utilize what he could bring as much as we’ll be able to utilize him. “
