BREAKING: Cowboys Set to Sign 25-year old Elite DE Off Bengals’ Practice Squad
The Cowboys are addressing their defensive end situation by poaching from another team’s practice squad. On Tuesday morning, Jerry Jones hinted this could be a solution, and Dallas has turned to Cincinnati’s practice squad for help after losing DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons to injuries.
Defensive end K.J. Henry is joining the Cowboys from the Bengals’ practice squad, according to a tweet from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Henry, a 2023 fifth-round pick by the Commanders, didn’t make Washington’s roster and ended up in Cincinnati. The Cowboys are required to keep Henry on their active roster for at least three weeks, but they have signed him to a two-year deal, leaving their options open.
Rather than pursuing a trade to cover for Lawrence and Parsons, the Cowboys are bringing in Henry, now under contract through 2025. Originally, his rookie deal was supposed to last until 2026, but both the Commanders and Bengals cut him this year. Cincinnati claimed Henry off waivers but released him earlier this month, after which he re-signed with their practice squad.
At Clemson, Henry never exceeded five sacks in a season but recorded nine tackles for loss in 2022 and combined for 14 over 2020-2021. He had a limited role on Clemson’s 2018 national championship team but earned second-team All-ACC honors in his final season and was named a third-team All-American by Pro Football Focus.
Henry was one of several 2023 draft picks left off Washington’s initial roster, including third-round center Ricky Stromberg. Washington, which had signed two ex-Cowboys defensive ends in Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler, started Henry in three games last season. Following the Commanders’ trades of Montez Sweat and Chase Young, Henry recorded 1.5 sacks in a game against the Giants. The 25-year-old has played in two games for the Bengals this season.
Dallas is expected to place Lawrence on injured reserve due to a Lisfranc injury that could sideline him for up to two months. Parsons is week-to-week with a high ankle sprain, and neither player is expected to suit up against the Steelers. Henry will join a group of healthy defensive ends on the Cowboys’ roster, including second-round rookie Marshawn Kneeland, former third-rounder Chauncey Golston, and second-year player Tyrus Wheat. Carl Lawson remains on the practice squad but is projected to play on Sunday.