With only three cornerbacks healthy and available for Sunday’s game, the Dallas Cowboys have promoted Leon McFadden from their practice squad. They had a roster spot open after waiving running back Rod Smith yesterday.
McFadden joined the Cowboys just last week but has experience in the NFL. He was an early 3rd-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, Dallas’ opponent this Sunday, in 2013. He did not make final cuts in his second year with Cleveland and then bounced around a few teams. Last season, he spent almost two months on the New York Giants’ active roster but was waived at final cuts last August.
For his career, McFadden has played in 25 games and started two. He’s amassed 26 tackles. two pass deflections, and no interceptions.
Morris Claiborne, who left last Sunday’s game with a groin injury, could be out for several weeks or more. That left only Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick, and Anthony Brown as active cornerbacks on the roster.
The Cowboys may not have needed to make this move if not Barry Church’s injury at safety. They might have used Byron Jones as the fourth cornerback, if needed. But with Church out and J.J. Wilcox starting there, they likely want to keep Jones beside him for extra stability.
It wasn’t long ago that Leon McFadden seen as having good talent, going 68th overall in his draft class. Perhaps secondary coach Joe Baker, who’s done great work this year in his new role, can help McFadden finally realize some NFL success.
