The Dallas Cowboys may have moved on from Deuce Vaughn, but it sure didnât take him long to find a new home. According to CBS Sportsâ Matt Zenitz, Vaughn is signing with the Denver Broncosâ practice squad.
Vaughn, a 2023 sixth-round pick out of Kansas State, was waived by the Cowboys on Aug. 26 as part of their final 53-man roster cuts. The 23-year-old running back ran for 87 yards on 14 carries in the preseason but fell down the depth chart and became expendable following the emergence of rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah.
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Vaughn Was a Longshot to Make Cowboysâ Roster
The 5-foot-6, 185-pound Vaughn was something of a gadget player with the Cowboys, appearing in 14 games since he was drafted 212th overall in 2023. He totaled 40 carries for 110 yards and 10 receptions for 58 yards over two seasons.
While Vaughn has good speed, his diminutive size limits what he can bring to the field. As Jon Machota noted in his final roster projection for The Athletic, Vaughn was an unlikely candidate to make the initial 53 in Dallas.
âDeuce Vaughn has had moments in training camp and the preseason where he has really pushed for a roster spot, however, it still seems unlikely that heâs one of the final 53,â Machota wrote.
Javonte Williams, who joined Dallas in March on a one-year, $3 million free-agent deal, had a team-high 15 carries for 54 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 against the Eagles. He also caught two passes for 10 yards. Miles Sanders had four carries for 53 yards.
Blue, a fifth-round pick out of Texas, was inactive for the 24-20 loss.
While many presumed it was because of Blueâs health after he sprained his right ankle in the preseason finale, head coach Brian Schottenheimer suggested Monday the decision was far more complicated.
âYoung players, it hits at different times,â Schottenheimer said. âHeâs extremely talented. ⦠You have to earn your chance to get out there. There has to be consistency.â
Mafah, a seventh-round pick from Clemson, is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
Vaughn Has Drawn Darren Sproles Comparisons
The Broncos currently have four running backs on their 53-man roster, but Vaughn is the only back on their practice squad. They waived Audric Estime and gave Blake Watson an injury settlement.
Vaughn has drawn comparisons to another gadget player, Darren Sproles, who interestingly played for Sean Payton in New Orleans. The Broncos worked out Vaughn last week.
Rookie second-rounder RJ Harvey rushed for a team-high 70 yards on six carries in Week 1 against the Titans. J.K. Dobbins had 16 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown, and Tyler Badie contributed two catches for 16 yards. Jaleel McLaughlin was a healthy scratch.
The Broncos beat the Titans 20-12 and will visit the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.
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