Cowboys Shockingly Cut Ties With Formerly Highly Touted Playmaker Just ONE Week Into Training Camp — What Went Wrong?

Injuries to key Dallas Cowboys players prompted the franchise to cut ties with a talented wide receiver in order to address a more pressing need. The Cowboys are dealing with mounting injuries at cornerback as well as on the offensive line.

Dallas signed cornerback Christian Matthew following Caelen Carson sustaining a hyperextended knee, which is expected to sideline the defender for an extended time period.

“Caelen Carson suffered a hyperextended knee and could miss 4-6 weeks, robbing him of valuable camp + preseason reps— the Cowboys reuniting Matt Eberflus with Christian Matthew for hopes of aiding the CB room’s ills,” DallasCowboys.com’s Patrik Walker detailed in a July 29, 2025, message on X.

In order to make room for the signing of Matthew, the Cowboys released wide receiver Kelvin Harmon, per Walker.

Here’s what you need to know about the Cowboys latest roster moves.

Ex-Cowboys WR Kelvin Harmon Posted Back-to-Back Seasons Topping 1,000 Yards at NC State

Harmon had a standout college football career at NC State and was once viewed as a promising NFL prospect. Yet, Harmon fell to the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft before the Washington Commanders stopped his slide.

The wideout had back-to-back seasons topping 1,000 yards for the Wolfpack. Harmon notched 81 receptions for 1,186 yards and 7 touchdowns in 12 appearances for NC State in 2018 before turning pro.

Heading Into the 2019 NFL Draft, Kelvin Harmon Drew Comparisons to Mohamed Sanu

The receiver has prototypical NFL size at 6-foot-2 and 221 pounds. Heading into the 2019 NFL draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Harmon to Mohamed Sanu.

“Harmon might show up as average in the speed and quickness departments, but he knows how to play and he plays to his strengths,” Zierlein detailed in his pre-draft profile of Harmon. “He has issues separating against tight man coverage so he uses his frame, play strength and ball skills to own a bigger piece of a smaller catch space. He has a big-dog swagger.

“Put together well with good strong base and above-average core strength. Heavily targeted safety blanket underneath. Can play pitch-and-catch all day if you let him. Has radar to find open space in zones. Scrambles to uncover when play breaks down. Physical receiver who take it and dish it out.”

Kelvin Harmon Has Had Several Short Stints With the Cowboys

Harmon has had a complicated relationship with the Cowboys resulting in several short stints with the franchise. Dallas initially signed Harmon on July 28, 2024 then released the wideout less than one month later as the team finalized the 53-man roster.

The Cowboys were able to re-sign Harmon to the team’s practice squad as the receiver passed through waivers unclaimed. Back in January, Harmon signed a futures contract with the Cowboys.

Now, just one week since the Cowboys started training camp, the team is once again moving on from the wideout. It would not be a surprise if there is another reunion with Harmon assuming the playmaker is not signed by another franchise.

Harmon has not recorded an NFL catch since 2019 and served as depth for Dallas. The wide receiver posted 30 receptions for 365 yards for the Commanders in 2019.