Trade Taco? Jerry says Charlton will stay on Cowboys 53

FRISCO - If you've followed my coverage of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton for the last five months, you know why 105.3 The Fan’s “Ben and Skin Show” on Friday asked owner Jerry Jones if Charlton is safe on the 53-man roster.

“Yes,'' Jerry told my guys Ben Rogers and Skin Wade. "He’s frankly had a great camp.”

No doubt about that. Taco himself tells me he's "getting in his groove'' and it comes at an opportune time for the former first-round pick who's progress is three-plus seasons in the making.

But Taco's name came up in the building back in April during NFL Draft Weekend, the idea of a trade being broached. And it came up here inside The Star last week, too, with team officials pondering if Dallas' depth at defensive end combined with the coaching staff's frustration with Taco's ups and downs might justify the idea of a trade.

But now? Jones' comments indicate that Taco's outstanding month with the Cowboys makes him a commodity not worth trading (sell a stock while it's high) but rather a commodity worth keeping (because maybe the stock is still going up.)

Charlton was outstanding against the Houston Texans in Week 3 of the preseason. Meanwhile, defensive end Robert Quinn is suspended until Week 3. So even with the emergence of Dorance Armstrong and the presence of Kerry Hyder behind starters DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford, Taco can be a rotational helper here.

Knowing Taco, I bet he takes Jerry's comments that he'll be on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster as a confidence boost ... And the Cowboys can hope for a performance boost as a result.