Cornerback Mackensie Alexander. Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys lost longtime cornerback Anthony Brown to a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 13. They will add an experienced option in the wake of that news.

Mackensie Alexander is signing with Dallas’ practice squad, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. Alexander will rejoin former Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards with the Cowboys. The former second-round pick has not played this season.

After signing with the Dolphins midway through training camp, Alexander sustained an injury that led him to Miami’s IR. The Dolphins reached an injury settlement with the six-year veteran, allowing him to head back to free agency and sign elsewhere to retain 2022 eligibility. Had no settlement been reached, Alexander would have been unable to return from the Dolphins’ IR.

Alexander, 29, has worked primarily in the slot as a pro. He held that role for Minnesota during much of Mike Zimmer’s tenure. Following Zimmer’s firing, the team did not bring him back. It instead inked ex-Packers slot Chandon Sullivan to a free agency accord. 

Alexander has 84 career games under his belt. He played 61% of Minnesota’s defensive snaps last season. Across six seasons, he has compiled 201 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 32 passes defensed and three interceptions. 

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