Needing some depth at offensive tackle, the Cowboys made the choice to activate second-year lineman Matt Waletzko from injured reserve, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.
The team also took advantage of the active roster addition to waive veteran linebacker Rashaan Evans, who was arrested for marijuana possession yesterday in Frisco, Texas, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.
With starting offensive tackle Tyron Smith and versatile backup lineman Chuma Edoga both on the injury report this week, Waletzko finds his way back to the active roster just in time to provide some necessary depth.
His practice window opened exactly 21 days ago, meaning that he may not be ready to return right away and that the move may have been necessary in order to avoid him reverting back to season-ending IR. Regardless, he’s back on the active roster now, and the Cowboys will be counting on him to provide some depth down the stretch of the regular season and beyond. As for Evans, the team’s depth at linebacker isn’t exactly overwhelming.
That doesn’t exactly mean the move is a reaction to the 28-year-old’s arrest this week.
In fact, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News disputed that exact claim, saying that the Cowboys “shortened the timing of the two incidents,” even seeming to suggest that Evans is a candidate to return to the practice squad if he is waived. Although Evans earned a start earlier in the season, his recent usage showed the team leaning less and less toward veterans, leading to his resignation, supporting the claim that his resignation may not be related to his arrest .
Regardless, Waletzko now has a spot on the 53-man roster and is looking to contribute there. Evans, on the other hand, is awaiting his fate on waivers and could return to Dallas in a practice squad role.
