Dallas Cowboys sign ex-Texas football LB Malik Jefferson to reserve deal

A former Texas football standout linebacker will get yet another shot to make it with his hometown team in the NFL. Former Texas All-American linebacker and Mesquite, TX, native Malik Jefferson will continue his time on the camp squad with the Dallas Cowboys after it was announced on Feb. 8 that he was signed to a reserve/future contract.

Jefferson was included in a mix of players that also encompasses offensive tackle Isaac Alarcon and the former Minnesota Golden Gophers and Houston Cougars tight end Seth Green among the players that the Cowboys signed to reserve/future contracts. The announcement was made by the Cowboys’ public relations Twitter page on the afternoon of Feb. 8.

Since last fall, Jefferson was now signed three times and released twice from the Cowboys’ camp/practice squad.

Jefferson was initially signed by the Cowboys last summer after his short stint with the Indianapolis Colts came to an end in the spring of 2022. He was added to the practice squad before the regular season opener.

Dallas Cowboys add former Texas football LB Malik Jefferson back to the roster on a reserve deal

During his time with the Cowboys last season, Jefferson didn’t play in a single regular season game. He did get some defensive snaps, though, in three preseason games with the Cowboys in 2022.

According to Fox Sports, Jefferson registered five total tackles (three solo and two assisted) in the three preseason games he played for the Cowboys last year.

The last time that Jefferson got some run in the regular season was with the Colts during the 2021 campaign. He took nine special teams snaps in one game with the Colts during the 2021 season.

In his NFL career to date, Jefferson has registered 16 combined tackles while receiving more than 500 combined snaps between special teams and defense since the 2018 season. Most of his live-game reps in the NFL came on special teams.

Jefferson was originally selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, 78th overall. Over the course of the last five years, Jefferson was signed to more than five different teams including the Bengals, Colts, Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers, and Cleveland Browns.