Cowboys move on from Joe Milton, finalize a Sam Howell backup plan for Dak Prescott

The Dallas Cowboys made a pair of roster decisions that sharpen their depth chart at two key positions, releasing quarterback Joe Milton while maintaining Sam Howell as the team’s backup behind Dak Prescott for the season. The move comes as the Cowboys continue to define roles entering the regular-season stretch, and it indicates that Dallas is comfortable with Howell as the immediate next option if Prescott is unable to play.

According to the Cowboys’ transaction activity reported Monday, Milton’s time with Dallas ended after a brief stint that included appearing in four games during his prior season with the team as a backup. Releasing a veteran backup is often a way for clubs to reset their plan for the quarterback room, and it also frees roster space for other positions that may need reinforcement.

In the same breath, Dallas kept Howell in place as the season’s backup quarterback. While Prescott remains the starter, the backup role matters more than ever in the NFL because season-long health and matchup volatility can quickly shift snap counts. Howell’s retention indicates the Cowboys have chosen continuity over adding another quarterback to compete for the immediate No. 2 job.

Dallas also added a new piece to its rushing group via the waiver wire. Running back Emari Demercado was claimed by the Cowboys off waivers from Kansas City, creating a fresh option for depth in the backfield. Demercado’s arrival gives Dallas another player with experience operating in an offense where situational production can be critical, particularly late in games and in rotating personnel packages.

From a team-building perspective, these moves fit a common offseason pattern: simplify the quarterback room to match the coaching staff’s preferred hierarchy, then plug depth needs at other spots through waivers or late additions. The Cowboys, like every contender, are balancing immediate reliability with the ability to adapt quickly if injuries or performance issues emerge early.

What to watch next is how Howell is used during practice and preseason-style periods, especially in work designed to prepare him for high-leverage situations that come with stepping in behind Prescott. On the running back side, Demercado’s role will likely become clearer as Dallas evaluates him against existing depth options and looks for who best fits the offensive plan in different game scripts.