The Dallas Cowboys are entering the 2026 campaign with a fresh batch of jersey numbers, and Wednesday’s league transactions wire confirmed six players are making the switch.
Camden Brown is one of the names on the list after turning a strong training camp and preseason into a roster spot. Dallas was initially expected to keep only five wide receivers, but Brown forced the team’s hand and earned his place.
Tyus Wheat also came through as one of the camp’s surprises. The defensive lineman impressed enough in exhibition action to make the cut, even after beating out Sam Williams, who had been seen as the leading candidate for the final edge rusher job.
Another unexpected roster win came from Speed, who was not widely viewed as a serious 53-man roster contender. He managed to stick in a cornerbacks group that is more crowded than it has been.
Bullard, signed in free agency in March, was viewed as a lock for the roster, though that became less certain before cutdown day because he missed a lot of offseason time with an injury.
Abanikanda and Hudson are both on Dallas’ practice squad. Abanikanda stood out when given chances, and the Cowboys chose to keep him instead of 2025 fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue.
There is still more number movement coming. Jonathan Mingo is expected to change from No. 81, which is the same number Hudson switched to.
Veteran edge rusher Von Miller is also trying to land No. 40 from fullback Hunter Luepke. Miller has already made offers to get the number, and the talks are still going.
“So we're able to work something out and I think I'm 90% sure we'll be able to get that done,” Miller said on the Free Range w/ Von Miller podcast.
His offers to Luepke include free chicken for life from his company, Greener Pastures Chicken, and paying for a full-body tattoo for the Cowboys fullback.
Luepke countered with a request for a two-percent stake in Miller’s company, a proposal Miller seems open to. Miller said that kind of deal would be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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