Cowboys Add Thomas, Part Ways With Cornerback Carson

WHO:

dallascowboys.com - The Dallas Cowboys signed safety Juanyeh Thomas to the active roster and waived cornerback Caelen Carson.

dallascowboys.com - Thomas returned to Dallas’s practice squad after signing with the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason.

dallascowboys.com - Dallas drafted Carson from Wake Forest in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

dallascowboys.com - The Cowboys’ active-roster cornerbacks are Joey Porter Jr., DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel and Ameer Speed. The practice-squad cornerbacks are Tyrek Funderburk, Derion Kendrick and Reddy Steward.

Heavy NFL - The Cowboys cut Carson, describing him as a former fifth-round cornerback who had spent nearly three years with the organization.

WHAT:

dallascowboys.com - Thomas’s signing and Carson’s waiver were two of three Cowboys transactions; Dallas also signed quarterback Kyle Trask to the practice squad as its third quarterback.

dallascowboys.com - In three seasons with Dallas, Thomas played 36 games, started three in 2025, recorded 62 tackles, five pass breakups and one forced fumble. He played 65 special-teams snaps through three games in 2026.

dallascowboys.com - Across three seasons, Carson played 17 games, started eight and recorded 45 tackles, one tackle for loss and six pass breakups.

dallascowboys.com - Carson received praise from owner and general manager Jerry Jones and teammates after performing well at his rookie training camp. He later struggled at points during the regular season and had a reduced role as other cornerbacks returned or joined the team.

dallascowboys.com - Steward had already been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster three times that season.

WHERE:

dallascowboys.com - The Cowboys’ team headquarters is in Frisco, Texas; Dallas drafted Carson from Wake Forest.

dallascowboys.com - Joe Milton signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

WHEN:

dallascowboys.com - Thomas had been elevated from the practice squad in each of the three preceding weeks. After a third elevation, a player cannot be elevated again and must join the active roster to play.

dallascowboys.com - Thomas rejoined the Cowboys’ practice squad in late September.

dallascowboys.com - Durant had missed the four preceding games with a hamstring injury and was inactive for those games; Dallas hoped he would return against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.

WHY:

dallascowboys.com - Thomas was added to the active roster because he had used his three practice-squad elevations and needed to be on the roster to play.

dallascowboys.com - Carson’s role had decreased as DaRon Bland returned to health and Dallas acquired Joey Porter Jr. in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Dallas Cowboys signed safety Juanyeh Thomas to the active roster and waived cornerback Caelen Carson, while also adding quarterback Kyle Trask to the practice squad. Thomas had used his three permitted practice-squad elevations and needed a roster spot to keep playing; he has appeared in 36 games for Dallas over three seasons, including 65 special-teams snaps this season. Carson, whom Dallas drafted in the fifth round in 2024, played 17 games and started eight, but his role shrank as DaRon Bland returned and Joey Porter Jr. joined the team.