It didn’t take long for the Cowboys to reshuffle their practice squad and add back a down-the-roster player in LB Mark Nzeocha, who did not make the 53-man roster as the Cowboys completed a trade for Green Bay’s Jayrone Elliott.
With Elliott projecting best as an edge rusher in Dallas’ 4-3 scheme, Nzeocha is a quality addition to the practice squad despite struggling returning from injury throughout training camp and the preseason. He can play as a base SAM or MIKE linebacker should the Cowboys suffer an injury at either spot – where they are already thin.
The Cowboys have re-signed LB Mark Nzeocha to their practice squad and released WR Brian Brown.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 5, 2017
Also back with the team, rejoining the active roster as TE Rico Gathers unsurprisingly differed to injured reserve, is QB Kellen Moore. Cowboys Nation rightfully celebrated when Moore was released and Cooper Rush was carried on the 53, but with five days to go before the Giants are in town it appears that Moore will primarily backup Dak Prescott once again.
Kellen Moore is back on the 53, while Mark Nzeocha has been brought back to the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/G6h4Okc56r
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) September 5, 2017
To create the practice squad spot for Mark Nzeocha, the Cowboys released WR Brian Brown. Brown was one of two receivers carried on the practice squad, as UDFA WR Lance Lenoir remains with the squad.
With these mostly expected moves, the Cowboys roster not only seems set for week one, but the team is deeper than it ever has been in recent memory heading into 2017 as the defending NFC East champions.
The fans don’t like K Moore because he looks like the water boy, not an NFL QB. The coaches have a certain level of confidence in K Moore based on his total body of work in the NFL and working with him.
The decision as to who will be the second team QB for the Giants game will be made at the end of the week per the coaches. K Moore is more of the veteran and has experience against 1st and 2nd team defenses. K Moore also knows the offense/playbook backwards and forwards. C Rush is a rookie and is still learning. Other than approximately one quarter he has never played against 1st or 2nd team defenses. He is basically unproven against starters in the NFL, even though he did look outstanding in the preseason games he played but mostly at 3rd team. I think there is a good chance K Moore will be the 2nd team backup for the Giants game. The coaches will try to do the right thing rather than the politically correct thing which would be to make the fans happy by picking C Rush.
Where was that experience in preseason?? Why do we as cowboys fans accept mediocrity?? Kellen moore is the only NFL qb i know that gets rewarded for bad performance its a shame
– Right thing to do, exposing Moore to waivers. Made it work. Outplaying Cassel & Weeden in 2015, before the broken leg, there may have been some interest if a F/A. Now that’s all gone for Moore.
– Not sure if he is #2 again. Didn’t earn it. I go with Rush in the case of Dak going out, and make him show me he’s not ready, before turning to Moore.
– Besides, 2 roster spots are needed when the DL’s get off suspension. I think Moore gets sent to PS at week 3 or week 5.
– I don’t think Zeke serves a minute of the 6 game suspension.
Fun 2017 offense, perilous defense – at least through 8 games. Run the ball.