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Cowboys Sign New Center, Bolster Offensive Line Depth After Cooper Beebe’s Injury

The Dallas Cowboys may have celebrated a thrilling 40-37 overtime win against the New York Giants, but the aftermath brought troubling news. Starting center Cooper Beebe went down with an ankle injury that is expected to sideline him for 6-to-8 weeks, forcing the Cowboys to move quickly to reinforce their offensive line.

Vice president Stephen Jones expressed hope that Beebe could recover on the shorter end of that timeline, possibly returning before the end of October. In the meantime, backup center Brock Hoffman is expected to step into the starting role, much as he did during Week 2. Hoffman, who has been with Dallas since 2022, started seven games last year and brings valuable continuity.

 

 

To further address the depth issue, Dallas signed veteran offensive lineman Wesley French, adding him to the practice squad. French spent the past three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, playing in 17 games with three starts in 2023. His familiarity with offensive line coach Klayton Adams, who previously worked with him in Indianapolis, should smooth his transition into the Cowboys’ system.

 
 

Still, the Cowboys’ offensive line remains a work in progress. Alongside Beebe, young linemen Tyler Guyton and rookie Tyler Booker are still adjusting to the pro level, with inconsistent results reflected in their Pro Football Focus grades. The addition of French brings much-needed veteran presence to balance the inexperience.

Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer expressed confidence in Hoffman, praising not only his reliability but also his vocal leadership. “At practice, he does it. On gameday, from the sideline, he does it. He gets underneath defenders, gets in their heads a little bit. His play style, it’s fun, it’s cool, and it’s noticeable for everybody else,” Schottenheimer said.

 
 

Steelers Add Two Former Packers Fan Favorites to Practice Squad To Strengthen Defense Ahead Of Browns Game
  PITTSBURGH – On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed two linebackers formerly with the Green Bay Packers for a workout session. The players invited were Michael Barrett and Isaiah Simmons, as the team looks to bolster its defensive unit ahead of upcoming games. Isaiah Simmons, selected as the 8th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson, has appeared in 84 games. He has recorded 329 tackles (226 solo, 103 assisted), 8.5 sacks (74 yards), 5 interceptions (127 yards), 2 interception touchdowns, 9 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Simmons, who briefly signed with the Packers in 2025 but didn’t make the final roster, is known for his versatility and impressive speed. Michael Barrett, a 7th-round pick (240th overall) by the Carolina Panthers in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Michigan, has limited NFL experience. He has appeared in a few games on practice squads with teams like the Packers and Browns but has yet to record significant stats (0 tackles, sacks, or interceptions). At Michigan, Barrett had a standout final college season with 65 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Alex Highsmith, a key linebacker for the Steelers, suffered a high ankle sprain during the team’s Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on September 14, 2025. The injury sidelined him for Weeks 3 and 4, with an estimated recovery time of 4-6 weeks. While Highsmith was not placed on injured reserve to maintain roster flexibility, he is still recovering post-bye week and expected to return soon. However, the Steelers are seeking temporary replacements for the edge rusher position. The workouts with Barrett and Simmons reflect head coach Mike Tomlin’s cautious approach to adding depth to the defense, especially after releasing Ja’Whaun Bentley and losing Jon Rhattigan to the Raiders. Simmons, with his experience and athleticism, could be an ideal short-term option to support T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig. The Steelers have not yet announced any contract decisions regarding the two linebackers. SOURCE: https://x.com/FarabaughFB/status/1976031373946388722