Cowboys: 3 most shocking 53-man roster cuts from Dallas brass
Brett Maher, K
Speaking of insurance, the Cowboys took a bit of a gamble when they decided to roll with a 53-man roster that didn’t include kicker Brett Maher.
Cowboys have released kicker Brett Maher for now, person familiar with situation said. Maher likely to be Week 1 kicker, but team must clear space for IR moves. Ultimately, he could start season on practice squad and be elevated for opener. Maher made 63- and 62-yard FGs in 2019. pic.twitter.com/9RdQCnBCn0
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 30, 2022
As Gehlken notes, Maher is likely to be added to the roster before Week 1, but at the moment, this means that the Cowboys don’t have a starting kicker.
The team made this move to make space for IR moves, but this means that there’s potentially room for Maher on the practice squad before he’s elevated to a starting role in Week 1.
Maher’s case illustrates how difficult managing a 53-man roster can be and how it may seem bizarre on the surface. As it stands, the Cowboys don’t have a kicker to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 11, but they are expected to bring him back through the practice squad.
Still, there’s a chance things don’t work out, and then what option would the Cowboys have? Their special teams unit took a hard hit when they cut Maher, long snapper Jake McQuaide and C.J. Goodwin all on the same day. If somehow the Cowboys fail to bring any of these players back, perhaps it will be a reminder of just how valuable a solid special teams unit can be.
Must Read. Dallas Cowboys roster cuts tracker: 53-man roster surprises (UPDATED). light