Dallas Cowboys Waive Former All-UFL Defensive Tackle After Injury-Riddled Season

The Dallas Cowboys are continuing to adjust their roster as the new league year approaches, and the latest move involves parting ways with a recent defensive line acquisition. On Thursday, the team officially waived defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey, bringing his brief and injury-plagued tenure in Dallas to an end. The move marks another challenging turn in the young player’s turbulent professional career.

Dallas Cowboys Part Ways With DT Perrion Winfrey

Winfrey entered the NFL with considerable promise. The Cleveland Browns selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, hoping his explosive talent from the University of Oklahoma would translate into a disruptive interior presence. He appeared in 13 games as a rookie, recording 22 tackles and a half-sack. However, his time in Cleveland was marred by off-field issues, and the Browns released him the following summer after he was accused of threatening a woman with a gun.

He briefly latched on with the New York Jets in 2023, playing in a single game before being released again. The Cowboys saw an opportunity to take a low-risk chance on his talent, signing him in June of 2025 after a stint in the UFL. Dallas hoped a change of scenery and a structured environment could help Winfrey get his career back on track.

An Injury-Plagued Stint in Dallas

Unfortunately, Winfrey’s time with the Cowboys was largely defined by his inability to stay on the field. He suffered a significant back injury that sidelined him for most of the 2025 season. This prevented him from having any real chance to compete for a rotational spot along a deep and talented defensive front.

He was eventually able to return late in the season, making an appearance in just one game for Dallas. In that limited action, he registered two tackles. While the front office was willing to take a flier on his potential, the combination of his past issues and his recent injury struggles made it difficult to justify keeping him on the roster as the team prepares for the 2026 season.

What This Means for Both Parties

For the Dallas Cowboys, waiving Winfrey is a minor roster adjustment that opens up a spot for future acquisitions. The team is consistently looking to churn the bottom of its roster to find developmental talent, and Winfrey was unable to prove he could be a reliable contributor. The move has minimal financial impact and allows the front office to continue its search for defensive line depth through free agency and the upcoming NFL Draft.

For Perrion Winfrey, this release represents another significant setback. At just 25 years old, he still possesses the raw physical tools that made him a coveted draft prospect. However, his journey has been complicated by both off-field concerns and, more recently, significant injuries. To continue his NFL career, he will need to prove to another team that he is fully healthy and has matured since his early-career troubles. He will likely have to compete for a spot on a practice squad or earn a non-guaranteed training camp invitation to get another opportunity.

Ultimately, the Cowboys’ decision to waive Winfrey closes the book on a low-risk signing that did not pan out. As Dallas sets its sights on building a championship-caliber roster for 2026, the focus remains on acquiring players who are both talented and dependable.