The conversation surrounding the Dallas Cowboys has shifted to potential trades they can make before the November 4 deadline after it was reported they inquired with the Las Vegas Raiders about star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
With the NFL's best offense, the Cowboys are just slight improvements on defense away from catapulting into contention. That will be easier said than done, as the defense needs to get stronger at various positions, including defensive end, linebacker, and safety.
Trade talk will only heat up after Sunday's game against the Broncos. In the meantime, the Cowboys have strengthened the margins of their roster, re-signing cornerback Zion Childress to their practice squad after he was waived by the Houston Texans and cleared waivers.
Cowboys reunite with DB Zion Childress after losing him in September
An undrafted rookie out of Kentucky, Childress made the initial 53-man roster after a sensational summer and preseason. He emerged as one of the Cowboys' top nickel cornerbacks, but was waived shortly after rosters were finalized to make room for new CB signings Reddy Steward and Trikweze Bridges.
Childress swiftly signed back to the practice squad after clearing waivers. He was elevated for two of Dallas' first three games and contributed one tackle on special teams. However, the Texans signed Childress to their active roster from Dallas' practice squad on Sept. 24.
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Cowboy fans were understandably devastated to lose a promising young talent, let alone someone who could fight for snaps in a lackluster secondary.
The former Wildcat showed really encouraging pursuit, physicality, and instincts defending the run in the preseason. He also provided some of the stickiest coverage of any Dallas defensive back. He finished the preseason with eight tackles, four defensive stops, and an 80.9 run-defense grade, per PFF.
Childress might struggle to make the game-day roster now that the cornerback room is getting healthier. Caelen Carson returned in Week 7, and the Cowboys opened rookie third-round pick Shavon Revel's 21-day practice window on Wednesday.
However, he's an excellent player to develop for the rest of the season and potentially beyond, as there could be a path to playing time in 2026 if Dallas' secondary undergoes sweeping offseason changes.