Potential Starter in Danger of Being Cut After Playing 0 Games for Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are two weeks away and counting from beginning training camp. This means intense position battles are about to heat up in the coming weeks.

One veteran was initially deemed a key offseason move but now may be fighting for a roster spot. The Cowboys signed former Miami Dolphins starting left guard Robert Jones during NFL free agency in March 2025.

This prompted plenty of speculation that Jones would slide into the same role in Big D. Less than two months later, the Cowboys made another move that not only puts his starting gig in doubt but a potential roster spot as well.

Cowboys Wire suspects Jones is now “fighting for a roster spot” after the Cowboys selected Tyler Booker with the No. 12 overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft. The rookie is now the new favorite to start at right guard.

This decision is very much under scrutiny as Dallas attempts to find the successor for star Zack Martin after the nine-time Pro Bowler retired.

Let’s dive into Jones’ battle to carve out a role on the Cowboys offense and make the final 53-man roster.

Could the Cowboys Cut Ties With Robert Jones Before the Vet Ever Plays in Dallas?

Cowboys Wire’s K.D. Drummond believes Jones will need to prove himself in training camp practices to solidify a roster spot. Even if Jones makes the roster, the veteran is unlikely to start as originally expected during NFL free agency.

“On the outside, it initially appeared Jones would be in competition with ERFA re-signing Brock Hoffman, giving him more money than any other free-agent on offense, $3.75 million, but that was before Dallas spent the No. 12 overall selection on Tyler Booker from Alabama,” Drummond wrote in a July 6, 2025, story titled, “Cowboys pushed biggest offensive investment, $3.75 million, to side 1 month after signing.”

“Now, Jones is in competition to be a game-day active backup, with outside training camp competition from fellow free agent signings Saahdiq Charles and Hakeem Adeniji, neither of whom played in 2024. Jones’ age indicates his best days are ahead of him, as do his small-school background and the general notion that it takes a while for a mid-tier UDFA to acclimate himself to the league before he can reach his full potential.”

The Cowboys Are Predicted to Keep 10 Offensive Linemen as Part of the 53-Man Roster

The Athletic’s Jon Machota projects 10 players will make the final roster at offensive line. The analyst has Jones and Nate Thomas among the final offensive linement to make the 53-man roster.

“There are more questions with who will be the next five reserves,” Machota detailed in a June 26, story titled, “Cowboys 53-man roster projection: One spot left open for player not on current roster.” “Dallas could go with only nine but also as many as 11 here.

“The five reserves listed would give the Cowboys depth at all five positions. If we kept 11, T.J. Bass would have been the next man up. If any shuffling was needed at one of the starting tackle spots, Tyler Smith would probably move outside.”