Overview
- The Cowboys signed tight end Mitchell Van Vooren and waived/injured defensive tackle Kelvin Gilliam to open a roster spot, a move reported Monday by team and league outlets.
- Dallas made the move because key TEs Michael Trigg and D.J. Rogers are injured, leaving Luke Schoonmaker and Zack Kuntz as the only healthy tight ends until Van Vooren joined the roster.
- Van Vooren is a 6-foot-5 former track star who played Division III football at St. Norbert and has had brief stints with the Seahawks, Browns and Patriots but has not appeared in a regular-season NFL game.
- Kelvin Gilliam suffered a triceps injury in camp and was waived with an injury designation, which means he must clear waivers and likely reach an injury settlement before he can play elsewhere in 2026.
- Van Vooren is expected to get game reps in Friday’s final preseason matchup with the New Orleans Saints, giving him a final audition ahead of the Aug. 30 53-man cut deadline and creating a short-term solution for Dallas’ tight-end depth.