FRISCO, Texas — The end of the 2025 season has arrived for the ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵÏÂÔØÈë¿Ú, and earlier than they'd like, but they'll at least try to avoid a second consecutive losing season when they travel to take on the New York Giants in Week 18. Achieving that mission just got a bit tougher, though.
Though they are expected to start four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott at MetLife Stadium, the same can't be said for some other key players — sidelined due to injury. On Friday, the Cowboys ruled out Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, T.J. Bass, DeMarvion Overshown and rookie cornerback Shavon Revel.
One day later, they made a list of transactions that included moving several players to season-ending injured reserve, mostly academic, at this point, to clear the way for the activation of others from IR who have yet to touch the field this season.
The decision to waive Trevon Diggs left one open seat on the 53-man roster but, given the laundry list of moves made on Saturday, that wasn't enough.
Three players were moved to IR and two activated, the additional seat being awarded to an undrafted, hard-hitting rookie and there was also an elevation to help with depth and special teams coverage.
Placed on Reserve/Injured:
- T.J. Bass
- Malik Davis
- Javonte Williams
Activated from Reserve/Injured-Designated For Return:
- Phil Mafah
- Josh Butler
Signed from the practice squad:
- Justin Barron
Elevated from the practice squad:
- Nick Leverett
The understandable decision to shut down both Williams and Davis not only opens the door for Mafah to try and build on his impressive preseason film, but also for fellow rookie running back Jaydon Blue to get another chance to show the Cowboys he is as advertised. Blue hasn't been active in a game since late October, relegated to the inactives until head coach Brian Schottenheimer was satisfied with what he sees in practice, consistency-wise.
It now becomes the Rookie Bowl in the backfield, and Butler will himself look to build upon what he put on film in 2024, prior to suffering a season-ending knee injury following his breakout game last November. With Diggs gone and DaRon Bland on IR, Butler should look for plenty of burn against Jaxson Dart and the Giants offense.
All of this will help the Cowboys form a more educated view of how their roster should begin shaping up in the offseason.
