FRISCO, TX – The Dallas Cowboys officially signed former Philadelphia Eagles left tackle to the practice squad on Monday morning. Peters met with the Cowboys at the Star on Friday where he took a physical and had very productive meetings with the front office. Following the meetings on Friday afternoon the negotiations started for Peters.
Peters, 40, went undrafted in the 2004 NFL draft despite being projected to go in the fourth round. He became an undrafted free agent and landed a spot with the Buffalo Bills. He worked his way from the practice squad to a five-year $15 million dollar extension. Following the Bills he was traded to the Eagles in 2009 where he signed a six-year $60 million deal to ensure he played with the Eagles through the year 2014.
Peters was selected to the 2010-2011 Pro Bowl as the starting offensive end. He was also selected as the 2010 Second-Team All-Pro selection. Peters played through February of 2014 before the Eagles renewed his contract for five-years $51 million.
According to Mike McCarthy, Peters will start on the practice squad to ease his way back into play. With that being said, it has not yet been announced but it’s looking like the game plan has not changed for week one with the signing of Peters and rookie Tyler Smith will play at left tackle in Sunday night’s game against the Bucs.
This move comes from the Cowboys losing their eight-time Pro-Bowler Tyron Smith in practice a few weeks ago when he tore his hamstring leaving the Cowboys without their starting left tackle until at least December. Dallas decided to sign Peters for depth purposes, insuring them if rookie Tyler Smith struggles at left tackle that they have a backup.
“This is about adding depth and bringing another excellent player into your program,” McCarthy said. “This is about adding a future Hall of Fame player to your … football team.”
Tyler Smith has been playing at left guard all of the off season and throughout training camp. Since Tyron Smith went down he has been practicing at left tackle.
Smith expressed in the practice last week that he is ready to play at left tackle if that’s what the Cowboys decide. Smith said that he’s comfortable playing left tackle because that is the position that he played all four years in college.
As of late last week the 53-man roster and 17-man practice squad was completely full for the Cowboys. In order to make room for Jason Peters Dallas released DE Mika Tafua from the practice squad on Monday morning.
Due to Peters getting his physical done late last week he was cleared medically and will practice Monday with the team.
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