Cowboys roster 'churn': A special-teams switch as Chunn is cut and Covington called to 53
FRISCO - In a move that the personnel guys would refer to as "churning the bottom of the roster,'' the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday signed linebacker Chris Covington up to the 53-man roster, making room by waiving running back Jordan Chunn.
This move is all about special teams, where Chunn was a contributor in Sunday's 35-17 victory over the Giants in Week 1. But it also leads to another question. To use another "football saying,'' in particular quoting Jimmy Johnson:
Are the Cowboys now "hanging out'' at running back?
That's what Jimmy used to call it when a position group was a body short. It was sometimes a worthy risk depends on the makeup of the roster. And it's where Dallas is now at running back, as the transaction leaves the Cowboys officially with just Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard at the position for now.
Of course, more shuffling could be coming eventually; recently released veteran running back Alfred Morris could always be brought back, as long as he's available. And then there is this: As demonstrated in Sunday's win, the Cowboys clearly think of Jamize Olawale as something more than "just a fullback.'' He lined up all over the field against the Giants, so many in a sense he qualifies as a "third running back.''
Meanwhile, the Cowboys -- very proud of the talent they've collected at the linebacker position -- now have seven of them on the roster, including UDFA rookie Luke Gifford, who is still healing from an ankle injury and was inactive last week against the Giants. Dallas thinks highly of what Justin March and Joe Thomas can do on defense and on teams. Sean Lee is also available for both and is a "starter'' in Dallas' base defense.
only played one snap, and Sean Lee was only used on about 16% of the defensive plays. The centerpiece guys here are Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, and Covington is well behind them. He has spent his year on the Cowboys stashed due to injury, but this week, the 2018 sixth-round pick gets a chance on the 53 ... and a chance to avoid a future "churn.''
