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Cowboys Host Veteran CB for Workout Amid Secondary Injuries

The Dallas Cowboys are exploring ways to stabilize a secondary battered by injuries, and on Thursday, the team welcomed back a familiar veteran for a workout at The Star in Frisco.

With multiple defensive backs sidelined and inconsistency plaguing the unit, Dallas is considering all options ahead of a critical stretch of the season. Bringing in a proven defender underscores the front office’s urgency to shore up its pass coverage.

 

That veteran was Stephon Gilmore, who previously anchored the Cowboys’ secondary during the 2023 season. In his lone year with Dallas, Gilmore started all 17 games, logging 1,024 defensive snaps (88% of the unit’s total). He recorded 68 tackles (54 solo, 14 assists), 2 interceptions, 13 passes defensed, and 1 forced fumble — all while holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just

60.3, ranking ninth in the NFL.

Cowboys fans may recall his Week 1 interception against the New York Giants in a 40-0 victory, or his forced fumble against the Philadelphia Eagles that helped secure a statement 33-13 win. He remained a steady presence in coverage throughout the season, even delivering in the postseason loss to the Green Bay Packers with 4 tackles and a pass breakup.

 

While his 2024 stint in Minnesota fell short of expectations, Gilmore’s pedigree as a former Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion makes him one of the most experienced cornerbacks still available on the market.

For Dallas, reuniting with Gilmore could provide immediate stability to a defense that is still aiming for a deep playoff push. If Thursday’s workout proves successful, a deal could be finalized soon — giving the Cowboys a trusted veteran presence in the backfield at just the right time.

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Vikings Rookie Cut Before Season Retires to Join Military Service
The NFL is often described as the pinnacle of athletic dreams, but for one Minnesota rookie, the path to greatness has taken a turn away from the gridiron and toward a higher calling. After signing as an undrafted free agent in May, the young cornerback fought through training camp and preseason battles, hoping to carve out a roster spot on a Vikings team searching for secondary depth and identity. That player is Zemaiah Vaughn, a standout from the University of Utah who built his name as a long, competitive boundary corner with special-teams upside. Waived in late August, Vaughn stunned teammates and fans by announcing his retirement from professional football and his decision to enlist in the U.S. military, trading a Vikings jersey for a soldier’s uniform. “I lived my NFL dream in Minnesota, but being cut before the season opened another path,” Vaughn said in a statement. “This isn’t the end — it’s a higher calling. Now, I choose to serve my country with the same heart I gave the Vikings.” At 6’3” and 187 pounds, Vaughn brought elite length for a boundary role and made his mark with poise, vision, and leadership. His preseason PFF grade of 65 reflected consistency, though the roster competition proved overwhelming. For the Vikings, the move closes the chapter on a developmental project. For Vaughn, it begins a profound new journey that echoes his reputation as a “hidden gem” — a player who always found ways to rise above. Fans in Minnesota and across the college football community saluted the decision on social media, calling it “the ultimate sacrifice” and “proof that heart is bigger than the game.” Vaughn leaves the NFL, but his next mission may prove even greater.