As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for the 2025 regular season, the battle for a spot on the coveted 53-man roster is heating up. With only two preseason games left, several players are fighting tooth and nail to prove their worth. Among them are three free-agent signees from this offseason, each facing an uphill climb to secure their place on America’s Team. Injuries, fierce competition, and emerging talent could spell the end for these veterans before they even get a chance to shine in the regular season. Here’s a closer look at Saahdiq Charles, Perrion Winfrey, and Miles Sanders—three players teetering on the edge of being cut.
Saahdiq Charles, Guard: A Knee Injury Threatens His Comeback
The Cowboys brought in offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles to bolster their depth following the retirement of perennial All-Pro Zack Martin. Charles, who briefly stepped away from the game before signing with Dallas, saw a window of opportunity when guard Rob Jones went down, giving him a shot to climb the depth chart. However, a knee injury has sidelined him at a critical time. Meanwhile, T.J. Bass turned heads with a standout performance in the first preseason game, potentially locking up a roster spot. With rookie Tyler Booker, a recent draft pick, also in the mix, Charles’ injury could push him too far down the depth chart to recover. Unless he can return quickly and dominate in the final preseason games, his time with the Cowboys may end before it truly begins.
Perrion Winfrey, Defensive Tackle: Caught in a Numbers Game
Perrion Winfrey, a former USFL standout, made a strong case for himself in Dallas’ first preseason game, showcasing the kind of disruptive energy the Cowboys’ defensive line craves. Signed late in the offseason, Winfrey is battling for a spot in a crowded defensive tackle room. The Cowboys have significant depth at the position, with players like Mazi Smith anchoring the group. Unless Dallas decides to part ways with Smith or another established lineman, Winfrey’s impressive flashes might not be enough to secure a roster spot. His fate hinges on outshining his competition in the final two preseason games, but the numbers game could ultimately leave him on the outside looking in.
Miles Sanders, Running Back: Outrun by a Rookie
Hoping to add a spark to their running back corps, the Cowboys signed Miles Sanders, a former division rival, in free agency. Sanders started training camp strong, displaying the speed and vision that made him a standout earlier in his career. However, an injury has derailed his momentum, allowing rookie Phil Mafah to seize the spotlight. Mafah’s emergence has reshuffled the depth chart, pushing Sanders further down the pecking order. With time running out, Sanders needs to get healthy and deliver a show-stopping performance in the remaining preseason games. If he can’t reclaim his spot, the former Pro Bowler could be cut before ever taking a regular-season snap for Dallas.
With only two preseason games left, the pressure is on for Saahdiq Charles, Perrion Winfrey, and Miles Sanders to prove they belong on the Dallas Cowboys’ roster. Injuries and rising stars like T.J. Bass and Phil Mafah have put these veterans’ dreams in jeopardy. For these players, the next few weeks are a make-or-break moment. Will they rise to the challenge, or will they become casualties of the Cowboys’ quest for a championship-caliber roster? Only time—and their performances on the field—will tell.