Cowboys waive beloved gadget back, preseason star entering Year 3

The clock has run out for Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn, who has been waived by the team entering his third year.

Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn runs with the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The writing was on the wall for Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn, but now the news is official. On Tuesday afternoon, the perennial preseason standout was waived by the team on its way down to the 53-man roster.

Vaughn created one of the greatest moments in Cowboys NFL draft history when he learned he was drafted by the Cowboys with a phone call from his father, Chris, who is a scout for the team.

The speepy and shifty running back was electric out of the backfield for the Cowboys during his three preseason stints, and quickly endeared the fans.

MORE: Cowboys roster cuts tracker: List of players released on way to 53 men

Unfortunately, he is now on the outs after the team selected to new running backs, Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, in the 2025 draft.

The #Cowboys are waiving running back Deuce Vaughn, sources tell @CBSSports.

The former Kansas State All-American and 2023 sixth-round draft pick spent the last two seasons in Dallas. Ran for 42 yards in Dallas’ final preseason game. pic.twitter.com/5v2N4rUuFG

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) August 26, 2025

Vaughn will now hit the waiver wire with less than four years of accrued NFL experience and could be an intriguing candidate for the team's 16-man practice squad if he clears waivers.

There was some hope that the running back could sneak onto the roster after the hiring of offensive line coach Conor Riley, who Vaughn played under at Kansas State, but it just wasn't in the cards.

MORE: Cowboys released breakout preseason star during 53-man roster cutdown

While he was dynamic during the preseason and earned roster spots in each of the past two years, Vaughn never found an opportunity to make an impact during the regular season.

During his two years in Dallas, Vaughn recorded just 110 yards rushing, while adding 10 catches for 58 yards.

Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn reacts during the second half against the New York Giants | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

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