Hunter Luepke, a rookie fullback, fumbled the ball beyond the goal line last season after a heated argument with Dak Prescott in Miami.
During the final two games of the 2024 regular season, Luepke did not touch the football again. He didn’t play a part in the playoff game that Green Bay won. Before this season, there was substantial uncertainty over whether Luepke would make the final squad following training camp.
Let’s introduce Ryan Flournoy, a sixth-round selection from Southeast Missouri State and a rookie wide receiver. Over the past two weeks, Flournoy has seen some play as a result of Brandin Cooks’ knee injury. Despite receiving 10 offensive snaps and an additional 15 on special teams in his NFL debut against the Steelers two Sundays ago, Prescott never targeted him. In the lopsided loss to the Lions on Sunday, he got one target.
It might be the last target he gets if Luepke’s example is the norm for Mike McCarthy.
Flournoy caught the target for a 12-yard gain. He promptly fumbled the ball, and the Lions pounced on it for the turnover.
In a 47-9 rout, you can’t say the miscue impacted the outcome of the game.
But rookies needs to take advantage of their opportunities when they present themselves to help them stand out to their coaches.
Fumbling the ball when you finally get a touch? That’s a sure way to secure a permanent place on the bench.
The one thing Flournoy can hold on to is that Luepke made the cut this year and has had multiple touches.
The first-round pick out of Oklahoma, Guyton, had started at left tackle the first five games of the season. On Sunday, he never saw the field.
Guyton’s fall from grace began when he was injured during the Steelers’ victory.
After he left the game, Tyler Smith moved to left tackle and the Cowboys’ running game suddenly found life.
It remains to be seen if Guyton can regain his starting job after the bye week. Either way, it was a huge setback for the player Dallas thought was a sure bet to replace the future Hall of Famer, Tyron Smith.
Marshawn Kneeland
The Cowboys’ second-round pick, Kneeland, partially tore his lateral meniscus in the win over Pittsburgh and is officially on IR.
The good news is that he did not tear his ACL. That injury would have ended his season. Kneeland will likely be out until late November.
Cooper Beebe
The third-round pick from Kansas State, Cooper Beebe, is claiming the best pick of the Cowboys’ 2024 Draft as the team hits the one-third mark of the season.
Beebe has been everything the Cowboys could ask for, starting at center in all six games. Beebe has taken all 413 offensive snaps at center.
He’s only drawn two penalties all year, an ineligible player downfield and a holding call.
Marist Liufau
The third-round pick from Notre Dame, Marist Liufau, got his third start of the season but only saw 28 plays, just 41% of the total defensive snaps, against the Lions.
Liufau finished with two tackles. Just one was a solo tackle.
Caelen Carson
The fifth-round pick from Wake Forest, Caelen Carson, was inactive for Sunday’s game. It was the third straight game Carson has missed.
He continues to recover from a shoulder injury suffered two weeks ago against the Ravens.
Nathan Thomas
Offensive Tackle Nathan Thomas, the seventh round pick out of Louisiana, is on injured reserve.
But at least he is still in the organization. His fellow seventh round pick, Justin Rogers, was cut before the season began and is now on the Bengals’ practice squad.
The Undrafted
Tight End Brevyn Spann-Ford, out of Minnesota, saw 13 offensive snaps on Sunday but was never targeted. He also put in 10 snaps on special teams.
The other three undrafted rookies are currently on the practice squad.
Safety Emany Johnson, Defensive Tackle Denzel Daxon, and linebacker Brock Mogensen will likely remain there until an injury necessitates a call up.
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