Cowboys Announce Decision on DT Who Was Injured at Practice
The Cowboys placed defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey (#99) on injured reserve Monday. He will miss a minimum of four weeks.
Perrion Winfrey overcame the odds to make the Dallas Cowboys’ initial 53-man roster, but it may be a while before he sees the field in a game that counts.
Winfrey was inactive for last week’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and will now miss at least the next four weeks after landing on injured reserve Monday.
The 2022 fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma, who turned 25 on Aug. 15, has been sidelined since he hurt his back in practice on Aug. 31.
Winfrey Was a Surprising Camp Story
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Winfrey signed with the Cowboys in June after earning All-UFL honors in the spring with the Birmingham Stallions. Despite an impressive training camp and preseason, Winfrey headed into cutdown day squarely on the roster bubble.
While Winfrey thought he was getting cut, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer surprised him with good news. Schottenheimer recalls becoming emotional when telling Winfrey he’d made the team.
“We brought Perrion Winfrey in, and he assumed he was being cut,” Schottenheimer said, via the team’s website. “And so he walked in and sat down in my office, and (vice president of player personnel) Will McClay was in there. I did play it up a little bit. …
“He became very emotional, and then I became emotional. I looked over at McClay and he had become emotional. Talk about a guy that’s had this amazing game taken away from him, and you really realize how much these players love this game, what they sacrifice to play this game and what they have to give up and go through — the pounding it takes on their bodies.”
Injury Could Complicate Cowboys’ Roster
Players on IR are required to miss a minimum of four weeks before they can be activated. Once they resume practicing, they have a 21-day window where they can rejoin the active roster. Players who are not activated within that timeframe must be either traded or released.
NFL teams are allowed to bring back up to eight players from IR.
The Cowboys beefed up the interior of their defensive line in trading for Kenny Clark, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Green Bay Packers, but they could still use more help up front. The Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Hoyt suggested Winfrey’s injury could potentially lead to Mazi Smith returning. The 2023 first-rounder was a healthy inactive in Week 1.
The Cowboys allowed 158 rushing yards (4.2 yards per carry) in the 24-20 loss to Philadelphia.
Winfrey Had Off-the-Field Issues Early in His Career
Winfrey, a former two-time Second Team All-Big 12 honoree, has spent time with two other NFL teams. In 2022 with the Cleveland Browns, he appeared in 13 games as a rookie, recording 22 tackles, one tackle for loss, and half a sack.
The following offseason, Winfrey was released by the Browns after police listed him as a suspect in an aggravated robbery incident. A few months before that, Winfrey was arrested on a misdemeanor assault charge in Texas after he was accused of causing “bodily injury” to a woman he was dating. The charge was later dismissed after Winfrey completed a pretrial diversion program.
In 2023, Winfrey appeared in one game with the New York Jets and made three tackles.
Broncos' Evan Engram Faces Injury Setback in Season Opener
In a promising start to the season, the Denver Broncos secured a 20–12 victory over the Tennessee Titans in their Week 1 matchup. However, the win was marred by an injury to newly acquired tight end Evan Engram. Engram exited the game in the second half due to a calf injury and was listed as questionable to return.
Injury Details:
Engram, who had three receptions for 21 yards before the injury, was seen heading to the blue medical tent and did not return to the game. The Broncos are now facing uncertainty regarding his availability for upcoming games, as calf injuries can be unpredictable and may require cautious management.
In a statement following the game, Engram reassured fans and teammates alike, saying:
“I’m not worried. This is just a bump in the road. I’ll be back stronger. The team needs me, and I’m going to push through this. The Broncos are on the rise, and I’m not going to let this hold me back.” — Evan Engram, Denver Broncos Tight End
Team Impact:
Engram's injury leaves the Broncos with limited options at the tight end position. With Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull as the only healthy tight ends, the team may need to explore alternatives, including utilizing practice squad players or considering free-agent acquisitions.
Looking Ahead:
The Broncos are expected to monitor Engram's condition closely and may opt for a conservative approach if the calf injury is deemed serious. With Engram's injury history and the team's current depth at the position, decisions regarding his participation in future games will be made with caution to ensure long-term health and performance.
