The time has come. The 2025 season is mercifully at its end. While the calendar has officially turned to 2026, the remnants of all of the decisions Dallas has made have a long tail, stretching into the regular season finale, Week 18 at the New York Giants. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has done his best to transform the culture of the Cowboys, but it didn't translate into a winning season in his first year at the helm.
Instead, Dallas will look to avoid a second-straight losing year, sitting at 7-8-1 heading into the last contest. In that vein, many starters are going to play in a game that is solely for pride and dictating draft order. That includes QB Dak Prescott, but won't include their top two running backs, as Javonte Williams and Malik Davis were ruled out on Friday.
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That opens the door for the activation of rookie Jaydon Blue, who has been blackballed from the game-day roster over his inability to take his craft as seriously as the coach wants. Whether Blue steps foot on the field with Prescott there remains to be seen.
Dallas had an open roster spot, then added three more as they moved several players to IR. After ruling them out Friday, the Cowboys moved Blue, Mafah and TJ Bass to IR, giving them four spots avaialble after releasing Trevon Diggs earlier in the week.
Three of those were filled by adding Blue and CB Josh Butler from IR to the 53-man roster. They also signed UDFA LB Justin Barron. In their final roster move, the club also elevated OL Nick Everett from the practice squad.
Here's a look at the 53-man roster that Schottenheimer will have at his disposal on Sunday when he names his inactives.
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Quarterbacks (2)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys throws before a preseason game the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dak Prescott
Joe Milton
Running Backs (3)
Jul 27, 2025; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) carries the ball at training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Javonte Williams (out)Hunter Luepke
Jaydon Blue
Phil Mafah
Malik Davis (out)
Tight Ends (3)
Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) runs with the football against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Ferguson
Luke Schoonmaker
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Wide Receivers (6)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 09: George Pickens #3 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys on the sidelines during the second quarter in a NFL Preseason 2025 game between Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CeeDee Lamb
George Pickens
Jalen Tolbert
Kavontae Turpin
Ryan Flournoy
Jonathan Mingo
Offensive Tackles (3)
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Offensive tackle Tyler Guyton #60 of the Dallas Cowboys stretches during training camp on July 30, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Terence Steele
Nate Thomas
Hakeen Adeniji
Offensive Guards (3)
Jun 10, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Smith (73) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Tyler Smith
Tyler Booker
Nick Everett (elevated)
Centers (2)
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 8: Defensive tackle Kobie Turner #91 of the Los Angeles Rams locks up with center Brock Hoffman #67 of the Dallas Cowboys during a skirmish between the two teams during joint practice at training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Cooper Beebe
Brock Hoffman
Defensive Ends (5)
Aug 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (41) against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jadaveon Clowney
Sam Williams
Dante Fowler
James Houston
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Defensive Tackles (6)
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Linebacker Micah Parsons #11 and defensive tackle Mazi Smith #58 of the Dallas Cowboys throw punches aa they jokingly spar prior to a training session on July 30, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Quinnen Williams
Osa Odighizuwa
Kenny Clark
Solomon Thomas
Jay Toia
Perrion Winfrey
Linebackers (6)
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (35) wears a Guardian helmet cap during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Logan Wilson
DeMarvion Overshown
Kenneth Murray
Marist Liufau
Shemar James
Justin Barron
Cornerbacks (6)
Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) celebrate after Diggs intercepts a pass against the Washington Commanders during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Caelen Carson
Shavon Revel
Trikweze Bridges
Reddy Steward
Corey Ballentine
Josh Butler
Safeties (4)
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 8: Running back Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes against safety Malik Hooker #28 and Donovan Wilson #6 of the Dallas Cowboys during joint practice at training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Malik Hooker
Donovan Wilson
Markquese Bell
Alijah Clark
Special Teams (4)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: Brandon Aubrey #17 of the Dallas Cowboys watches his field goal with Bryan Anger #5, to take a 12-6 lead over the Los Angeles Rams, in a 13-12 Rams win during a preseason game at SoFi Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Brandon Aubrey
Bryan Anger
Trent Sieg
CJ Goodwin
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys final 53-man roster of 2025, move 3 to IR, activate rookie RB

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