The Cowboys have added another tight end to the mix just before their final preseason game, signing former New England Patriots player Mitch Van Vooren as the position thins out with injuries.
Dallas made the move after undrafted rookie Michael Trigg, who flashed in the preseason opener, sat out the game against the Arizona Cardinals because of a toe injury. DJ Rogers also missed that game with an injury, leaving the Cowboys with only Luke Schoonmaker and Zack Kuntz as healthy tight ends in the second preseason matchup.
To clear room, the team released rookie defensive tackle Kelvin Gilliam.
Van Vooren gives Dallas a fresh body at a spot that needed one, and he’ll get a chance this week to show the staff enough to stick around on the practice squad. The signing came soon after head coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged the Cowboys were actively exploring the idea of bringing in another tight end.
"We're looking at that," Schottenheimer said. " ... I would expect us to add a tight end."
At 6-5 and 255 pounds, Van Vooren brings an unusual background to the roster. He was a Division III football player and a former Marquette track star, and he has also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns before landing with New England.
Schottenheimer also had praise for Kuntz after the Arizona game, pointing to the tight end’s ability to settle in after an early jolt and noting the production he provided.
"Talk about Zack Kuntz, I mean, he played really well," Schottenheimer said. "Was a little nervous getting in there at first.
Got popped one time, and that kind of helped settle him down a little bit. He had the fourth-down drop, but he played really well.
I think 40 something plays, and so I'm really pleased with him and proud of him. He deserves credit.
Had a big explosive 25-yard play between him and Sam (Howell). But yeah, both those other tight ends are working back.
Whether they make it back in time for the game, we'll see."
With Trigg sidelined and Schoonmaker possibly still fighting to hold his spot, Kuntz has a chance to make his case as the potential No. 3 tight end behind Jake Ferguson and Brevyn Spann-Ford.
The Cowboys open their final preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at home on Friday at 7 p.m. CT.
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