Dallas Cowboys Sign New Tight End Amid Micheal Trigg Injury Absence

The Dallas Cowboys have been dealing with injuries at the tight end position during preseason.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Michael Trigg (46) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Dallas Cowboys are making an addition to their offense ahead of the team's final preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Friday.

The Cowboys have signed former New England Patriots tight end Mitch Van Vooren, per reports from Nick Harris of the Fort Worth-Star Telegram. In a corresponding move, Dallas released rookie defensive tackle Kelvin Gilliam.

Dallas undrafted rookie tight end Michael Trigg, who impressed in the preseason opener, didn't play against the Arizona Cardinals due to a toe injury. DJ Rogers also didn't play due to injury, leaving the Cowboys with just two healthy tight ends in Arizona with Luke Schoonmaker and Zack Kuntz.

Adding Van Vooren now gives Dallas another healthy body at the position. He will have a chance to impress the coaching staff this week in hopes of landing a spot on the practice squad.

Brian Schottenheimer Hinted at Cowboys Adding Another TE

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks on prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Van Vooren signing came shortly after Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told the media that the team was looking at the possibility of adding a new tight end to the roster.

At 6-5, 255 pounds, the former Division III football player and former Marquette track star offers some intriuging upside as a depth piece. Other teams clearly recognized this, as Van Vooren also previously signed deals with the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns before ending up with New England.

"We're looking at that," Schottenheimer said. " ... I would expect us to add a tight end."

Schottenheimer added that he was impressed with what Kuntz brought to the table against Arizona. With Trigg sidelined and Schoonmaker potentially on the roster bubble, he could look to make some noise as the potential No. 3 tight end behind Jake Ferguson and Brevyn Spann-Ford.

"Talk about Zack Kuntz, I mean, he played really well," Schottenheimer said. "Was a little nervous getting in there at first. Got popped one time, and that kind of helped settle him down a little bit. He had the fourth-down drop, but he played really well. I think 40 something plays, and so I'm really pleased with him and proud of him. He deserves credit. Had a big explosive 25-yard play between him and Sam (Howell). But yeah, both those other tight ends are working back. Whether they make it back in time for the game, we'll see."

The Cowboys will begin their final preseason game against New Orleans at home on Friday at 7 p.m. CT.

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