Alarcón returns to Cowboys practice squad

Isaac Alarcón is back with the Dallas Cowboys.

Twenty-four hours after being cut by the franchise as part of the final 53-man roster cuts, the Mexican offensive lineman was re-signed to the practice squad, where he enjoys an exemption as an International Pathway Program player.

Alarcón’s return to the practice squad was an expected move, but players cannot be added to that unit directly from the offseason squad; they must go through the waivers process.

Along with Alarcón, other recognizable names returned to the Cowboys’ roster. Among them, quarterbacks Will Grier and Cooper Rush also returned to the practice squad. For the time being, Dallas is down to one quarterback on the active roster, starter Dak Prescott.

In addition, kicker Brett Maher, defensive tackle Carlos Watkins and rookie running back Malik Davis also returned to the club, all to the practice squad. Meanwhile, the team signed long center Jake McQuaide and special teams coverage ace C.J. Goodwin to its 53-man roster.

The team needed its final roster spots for left tackle Tyron Smith and wide receiver James Washington, who now go to the injured reserve list, where they will miss, at a minimum, the first four games of the season. Had they been sent to that list before the final roster cut, they would have had to miss the entire campaign.

Last draft’s first-round pick Tyler Smith practiced Wednesday at left tackle, in Tyron Smith’s position, joined by right tackle Terence Steele, guards Zack Martin and Connor McGovern, and center Tyler Biadasz.

Rules allow NFL teams to have 16 players on their practice squad, with the ability to call up some to the roster during the campaign on limited occasions. The Cowboys can have up to 17 players on their practice squad, per the international player exemption for Alarcon.