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Cowboys Drop Veteran Linebacker in Week 1 After Refusing Backup Role to Rookie!

Frisco, TX –  2025

Week 1 of the NFL season is supposed to be about excitement and preparation, but in Dallas, it opened with shock. The Cowboys have released veteran linebacker Damien Wilson in a stunning move after he refused to accept a backup role behind rookie standout Shemar James.

Wilson, a fourth-round pick by the Cowboys back in 2015, built his career on grit and physicality. He logged four seasons in Dallas before making stops in Kansas City, Jacksonville, and Carolina, eventually returning in 2024 to bring veteran stability to the Cowboys’ defense. His presence in the locker room and contributions on special teams made him a trusted figure in Mike Zimmer’s system.

But according to team insiders, tensions boiled over when Wilson was told he would begin the 2025 season as a rotational piece behind James — a rookie from Florida who impressed throughout camp with his speed, instincts, and versatility.

“He flat-out told us he wouldn’t play second fiddle to a rookie,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “And when we pushed back, he skipped a team meeting. In Dallas, that’s not how things work.”

From that moment, Wilson’s fate was sealed. The Cowboys cut ties immediately, opting instead to promote Shemar James into a key rotational role alongside Micah Parsons and Marist Liufau. Within hours of the move, Dallas filled the depth chart by signing veteran linebacker Tyrus Wheat to the practice squad.

The decision signals a clear direction: the Cowboys are leaning into youth and speed over veteran hierarchy. James, who flashed in the preseason with strong coverage and blitzing ability, now has a chance to make an instant impact in Zimmer’s aggressive scheme.

For Wilson, the cut marks an uncertain future. At 32, with over 400 career tackles and a Super Bowl ring from his time in Kansas City, he still carries value. But unless he accepts a reduced role elsewhere, this could be the final chapter of his NFL career.

49ers Fan-Favourite OL Faces Family Tragedy Ahead of Week 6 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
San Francisco 49ers rookie offensive lineman Dominick Puni is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters.Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee. (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.” Puni, whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller's , grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dominick that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Dominick lives and plays today.” Puni, a rookie out of Kansas, has steadily earned the 49ers’ trust along the offensive line, praised for his physicality in the run game and poise in protection. Coaches describe him as “wise beyond his years.” The 49ers have privately offered support and time for Puni and his family, ensuring he can process the loss away from team obligations. Teammates have rallied behind him, honoring his family’s resilience and service background. The FAA is investigating the incident, while tributes to Fuller — under his nickname “Spidey” — continue to flood social media from military peers, skydivers, and fans nationwide. “He taught others to fly — now he’s flying higher than all of us,” one tribute read.