{
  "id": 4706861,
  "title": "Cowboys release QB Joe Milton, keep Sam Howell to backup Dak Prescott this season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/cowboys-release-qb-joe-milton-keep-sam-howell-to-backup-dak-prescott",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T20:26:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/cowboys-release-qb-joe-milton-keep-sam-howell-to-backup-dak-prescott-this-season-202642212.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Dallas Cowboys have parted ways with quarterback Joe Milton, releasing him on Monday. The move comes after Milton's brief stint with the franchise. To replace Milton, the Cowboys claimed running back Emari Demercado off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs. Milton was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of Tennessee, where he played his rookie season. However, Milton only appeared in one game during his first year with the Patriots before joining the Dallas Cowboys the following offseason. During his lone season with the Cowboys, Milton appeared in four games, throwing for 183 yards and a touchdown, while recording two interceptions. Milton's completion rate was 15 of his 24 attempts. Despite his brief time in Dallas, Milton was still retained along with backup quarterback Sam Howell and starter Dak Prescott on the Cowboys' 53-man roster. With Milton's departure, Howell will likely serve as the backup quarterback for the Cowboys for the upcoming season. Prior to his time in Dallas, Milton spent the 2023 season as a starter with the Washington Commanders. Dak Prescott, the Cowboys' starting quarterback, had a strong season last year, throwing for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The Cowboys finished the 2023 season with a 7-9-1 record, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Cowboys will kick off the 2024 NFL season against the New York Giants on September 13.",
  "summary": "Joe Milton spent last season as a backup in Dallas, and appeared in four games.",
  "key_points": [
    "Dallas Cowboys release QB Joe Milton.",
    "Keep Sam Howell as backup to Dak Prescott.",
    "Milton claimed off waivers from Kansas City Chiefs."
  ],
  "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."
}