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

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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.

Cowboys say offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will be next coach

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.

Cowboys, Robert Jones agree to terms on one-year contract

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.”

Kansas City Chiefs in Turmoil: Chris Jones Slammed for “Lack of Effort” After Jaguars’ Game-Winning Score
The Kansas City Chiefs’ 28–31 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars has become one of the most talked-about games of the week — not just for the scoreline, but for the controversy surrounding Chris Jones.The star defensive tackle is facing intense criticism after fans accused him of “giving up” on the play that led to the Jaguars’ game-winning touchdown. The Play That Sparked Outrage Across the NFL With only seconds left on the clock, Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars stood just one yard away from the end zone. Everyone expected a fierce stand from the Chiefs’ defense — but instead, Lawrence slipped through, diving into the end zone for the decisive score. SAVE 20% TO BUY PRODUCTS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: SHOP NOW! Footage circulating online shows Jones slowing his pursuit just moments before Lawrence crossed the line.Fans were quick to point out what they saw as a lack of urgency, accusing Jones of stopping short instead of making a final tackle attempt. Chris Jones Speaks Out – But Fans Aren’t Convinced After the game, Chris Jones addressed reporters, saying: “I think we had chances, but we’ve got to finish. We have to get him down.” The comment did little to calm the storm. Many fans argued the statement felt vague and deflective, suggesting Jones was dodging responsibility for his lack of effort during the crucial moment. Fans and Analysts Erupt Over the “Lazy Play” Clips of the play went viral on X (formerly Twitter), with fans venting frustration: “Chris Jones just stood there — it looked like he quit.”“You can’t stop chasing when the game’s on the line!” Many compared the moment to Jones’s past performances, claiming he’s lost the fire and aggressiveness that once made him a defensive anchor.   Some NFL experts argued it was a collective defensive failure, not just a single player’s fault.Still, the majority agreed that Jones — as a leader of the defensive unit — should have set the tone and given maximum effort until the whistle. Fallout – Chiefs Lose Momentum and Confidence With this loss, the Chiefs now sit at 2–3, marking their worst start in years.Patrick Mahomes expressed frustration postgame, saying the team is being undone by “small mistakes and lack of focus.” The once-dominant Chiefs’ defense now looks shaky and uninspired. If Chris Jones can’t rediscover his form and leadership, Kansas City could spiral further down the standings in the coming weeks. Pressure Mounts Ahead of Showdown With Detroit Lions Next week’s matchup against the Detroit Lions will be a defining moment for Chris Jones.Fans and coaches alike will be watching closely — can he redeem himself and prove he’s still the heartbeat of the Chiefs’ defense? Analysts warn that if Jones continues to show poor effort, head coach Andy Reid may have no choice but to make bold defensive adjustments, possibly reducing Jones’s role in key plays. From Defensive Icon to NFL Villain – What’s Next for Chris Jones? Once the face of Kansas City’s dominant defense, Chris Jones now finds himself at the center of a storm about effort, accountability, and leadership.That one moment — slowing down instead of diving for the tackle — has shaken fan confidence and raised questions about the Chiefs’ mental toughness. Now, Jones stands at a crossroads: Will he rise up, prove his critics wrong, and reclaim his legacy, or will this controversy mark the start of his decline? The next few games may define not only his season — but his career.