Cowboys Waive Joe Milton, Lose Tyler Smith for Weeks as Banged-Up Dallas Preps for Giants Opener
Dallas resolved its backup quarterback battle and restructured three contracts for cap space this week — then lost a starting offensive lineman for over a month, all before Week 1 even kicks off.
The Cowboys waived quarterback Joe Milton on Monday, ending an offseason competition with Sam Howell for the backup job behind Dak Prescott. It was one of several roster moves this week, alongside contract restructures for DaRon Bland, Kenny Clark, and Jake Ferguson that freed up $19.4 million in 2026 cap space.
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The news wasn't all procedural — Dallas will be without offensive lineman Tyler Smith for 4-6 weeks after a thumb injury, the team's first significant injury setback of the season, right as it prepares for a genuinely hostile Week 1 environment: a Sunday Night Football road game at MetLife Stadium against a Giants team making its own fresh start under new head coach John Harbaugh.
Prescott, 33, is coming off arguably his best statistical season — 4,552 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and a career-high 600 attempts (2nd-most in the NFL) in 2025. He'll now do it without 25-year-old left guard Tyler Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler undergoing surgery on a torn thumb ligament and headed to injured reserve. Across the field, Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, 23, threw 24 touchdowns in just 12 starts last year and is a popular breakout pick for 2026 — if 23-year-old receiver Malik Nabers, still working back from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season after four games, is able to go.
"My mind is focused on playing the regular season, playing whenever that is and playing what team it is." He added that he wants to be "healthy enough to play all four quarters" rather than come back on a limited snap count.— Malik Nabers, 23, Giants WR
"It's reasonable to assume" Nabers plays Week 1 — calling Monday's practice the best the receiver has looked since returning from the injury.— John Harbaugh, 63, Giants head coach
Not everyone believes this Cowboys team is built for a deep run. FOX Sports' Ben Arthur predicted Dallas to go 6-11 when the 2026 schedule came out, pointing to a brutal non-division slate and adding "it wouldn't be surprising to see it take a step back." ESPN's Ben Solak takes the other side, framing Dallas's whole season around one question — can this defense be merely average by the playoffs — and betting that it can. Our take: with Lamb this locked in and Prescott coming off a career-level year, Dallas's offense should be good enough to survive a shaky defense in September, even if it isn't enough in January.
Dallas's week before Week 1
Cowboys waive QB Joe Milton, settling the backup quarterback competition behind Dak Prescott.
Dallas restructures three contracts (Bland, Clark, Ferguson) for $19.4M in 2026 cap space — and loses OL Tyler Smith for 4-6 weeks to a thumb injury.
Cowboys open the season at the Giants, Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
Week 1 Prediction: Score, Spread & Player Prop
Cowboys -2.5 road favorites (moneyline -155, Giants +130), per ESPN BET and DraftKings.
Total sits at 48.5, one of the week's highest — the Over has hit in 6 of the last 10 meetings between these two. Our pick: Cowboys 27, Giants 24 (Over).
CeeDee Lamb OVER 76.5 receiving yards (-114). Lamb needs just 44 yards to move into 5th on the Cowboys' all-time receiving list, against a Giants defense thinned out by the offseason trade of Dexter Lawrence.
Odds and props reflect market consensus across DraftKings, FanDuel, ESPN BET, and BetMGM as of this week — lines move, so check your own sportsbook before kickoff.
A cleared quarterback room, a thinner offensive line, and a prime-time road opener — Dallas's actual season starts answering questions Sunday night.
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Sources: Dallas Cowboys, NFL.com, Big Blue View, Covers.com, ESPN