{
  "id": 3337078,
  "title": "Cowboys release veteran to clear room for former Patriots tight end",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/cowboys-release-veteran-to-clear-room-for-former-patriots-tight-end",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-25T19:59:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/cowboys-release-veteran-clear-room-195914401.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 24, 2026, the Dallas Cowboys made a roster move to sign tight end Mitchell Van Vooren, who was waived by the New England Patriots, while waiving defensive tackle Kelvin Gilliam Jr. with an injury designation. The addition aimed to address a shortage at the tight end position, ahead of the Cowboys' final preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. At the time, only Luke Schoonmaker and Zack Kuntz were on the roster as tight ends, with starters Jake Ferguson and Brevyn Span-Ford held out due to injury. The Cowboys had signed Gilliam Jr., an undrafted free agent from Virginia Tech, after he tore his triceps during a training camp practice in Oxnard, California. Gilliam Jr. would need to clear waivers before playing elsewhere. Van Vooren, an undrafted player before, had brief stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Patriots before being released on August 18, 2026 following a one-catch, four-yard preseason performance. The Cowboys now have another depth signing at tight end. The team is also still deciding on the backup quarterback role, with Sam Howell and Joe Milton competing for the position.",
  "summary": "The Dallas Cowboys have signed former New England Patriots tight end Mitchell Van Vooren.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}