Dallas Cowboys, Packers Face Major Cuts After Preseason Injuries, Performances

The NFL preseason has presented challenging roster decisions for both the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, particularly concerning recent draft picks and injured veterans. The Packers are likely to cut Jacob Monk, a 2024 fifth-round pick who struggled in pass protection and missed the final preseason game due to a hamstring injury, with Donovan Jennings outperforming him as a backup guard option (Article 1). The Cowboys face a similar dilemma with Mazi Smith, their 2023 first-round pick, whose underwhelming performance has prompted projections of his release or trade despite owner Jerry Jones advocating for giving young defensive linemen at least three years to develop (Article 2). Dallas has also invested in quarterback Joe Milton III, whose preseason struggles raised doubts, but a strong final preseason performance has given the Cowboys hope he could be a viable backup or future starter behind Dak Prescott (Article 3). Additionally, the Cowboys must decide on players like undrafted receiver Traeshon Holden and rookie running back Phil Mafah, who have impressed but risk being lost to other teams if not retained, while veteran running back Miles Sanders, hampered by injuries, is increasingly viewed as expendable (Articles 4 and 5). These tough roster decisions underscore the competitive and fluid nature of NFL team building as the regular season approaches.