Dallas releases Joe Milton

The Dallas Cowboys waived quarterback Joe Milton on Monday, August 31, the team said on its official website, ending his bid to open the season as Dak Prescott’s backup. Dallas kept Sam Howell as the No. 2 quarterback on the 53-man roster after what coach Brian Schottenheimer described as a close competition. The move was reported on social media before many fans found the team’s formal transaction item, but the Cowboys later published a roster update confirming it. Milton is subject to waivers and could still return to Dallas on the practice squad if no team claims him. ### When did Dallas actually make the move? Monday, August 31, was the date of the transaction, according to the Cowboys’ official report and ESPN’s account of the roster decision. That matters because some social posts circulated the news on September 2, but the club’s own item says the waiver happened two days earlier. The Cowboys’ official website said Milton had spent the offseason competing with Howell for the backup job. (dallascowboys.com) The same report said Dallas’ current 53-man quarterback group consists of Prescott and Howell. ### Why did Joe Milton lose the backup job to Sam Howell? Brian Schottenheimer said Dallas made a “very, very hard decision” at quarterback, according to the Cowboys’ website, which summarized the competition and said Howell won the backup role. (dallascowboys.com) The team’s coverage did not frame the move as a disciplinary issue or injury-related decision. Stephen Jones said the choice came down to both quarterbacks playing well, according to a report citing comments he made to Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS Sports. (dallascowboys.com) That account said Dallas liked Milton’s preseason work but ultimately stayed with Howell as the backup. ### Was this tied to another roster move? ESPN reported Dallas waived Milton on Monday to make room for running back Emari Demercado. (dallascowboys.com) Cowboys Wire, part of USA Today’s network, also said the move cleared a roster spot after Dallas claimed Demercado. Emari Demercado’s arrival helps explain why Dallas did not keep three quarterbacks on the active roster. (cowboys.news) The Cowboys’ official transaction item focused on the quarterback decision itself, while outside reports connected the opening to the running back claim. ### How had Milton played before the cut? Joe Milton completed 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns in the preseason, according to an AOL report that cited his exhibition production. (espn.com) NFL.com’s preseason roundup also said Milton did “everything he could” in a late-August game against Arizona to show he was worthy of the backup job. Those numbers help explain why the move drew attention online. (dallascowboys.com) The Cowboys’ own coverage acknowledged that Milton had spent the offseason in a live competition for the No. 2 role rather than entering camp as a clear long shot. ### What happens to Milton now? The Cowboys said Milton remains subject to waivers, which means another team can claim his contract before he becomes available to sign elsewhere. (aol.com) Dallas’ official report said that if he clears waivers, he could return on the practice squad. NFL.com maintains the league’s transaction log, though its public monthly pages were not yet showing a detailed entry in the search results reviewed here. (dallascowboys.com) The Cowboys’ own report remains the clearest primary confirmation of the move. ### Where should readers look next? The Cowboys’ roster page and transaction reports are the next places to watch for Milton’s status, including any practice squad addition or a claim by another team. (dallascowboys.com) ESPN and NFL transaction listings should also reflect the next step once the waiver process is complete.