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Cowboys’ Florida rookies had their ups and downs

Originally posted on Inside The Star
By Richard Paolinelli | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 10:57 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys’ two rookies from Florida had an up and down day in SUnday’s loss at Denver.

Trikweze Bridges played in his third game of the season, getting his first NFL start on Sunday. He had the lone defensive highlight in an otherwise miserable day for Matt Eberflus’ unit.

Bridges, a seventh round pick in April of the Los Angles Chargers, actually made his debut in the Week 3 loss at Chicago, finishing with four tackles in 20 defensive snaps (33.9%) and 10 more (43.5%) on special teams.

In last week’s win over Washington, he also had four solo tackles in 53 defensive snaps (79.1%).

On Sunday, he saw 48 snaps on defense (76.2%) and once again had four solo tackles. He also added two passes defended.

But his highlight play came in the first 80 seconds of the contest.

Bridges intercepted Bo Nix’s second pass of the game and gave the Cowboys the ball at their own 48.

Seven plays later, Dallas cashed in the turnover with a 24-yard Brandon Aubrey field goal and an early 3-0 lead. It was all downhill from there.

Bridges gave up four completions for a total of 57 yards in Sunday’s loss.

Linebacker Shemar James, the other Florida rookie on the roster in addition to Bridges, had his third straight start but his lowest output numbers wise.

James finished with just four tackles after leading the team in that category the previous three weeks. He saw 60 defensive snaps (95.2%) on Sunday.

Here’s how Sunday played out for the rest of the rookies.

On The Field

Offensive guard Tyler Booker saw all 74 offensive snaps on Sunday and added four more (13.3%) on special teams.

Defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku had one tackle and one quarterback hit on Sunday. He saw 32 snaps on defense (51%) and another eight (27%) on special teams.

Running back Jaydon Blue had 14 snaps on offense (19%) and finished with eight carries for 29 yards.

Cornerback Alijah Clark played in his fourth game of the year, getting the start in the banged-up Dallas secondary.

Clark had six tackles on 33 defensive snaps (52.4%) in the loss.

Offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius and defensive tackle Jay Toia were both inactive on Sunday.

Stuck On The Injury Report

Defensive back Shavon Revel Jr., a third round pick, continues to try to work his way back from a serious leg injury from last year. Running back Phil Mafah, a fifth rounder, is also doing the same.

Defensive back Zion Childress began the year on the practice squad, was signed by the Houston Texans, released, resigned by Dallas and is now back on the Cowboys practice squad, injured list.

Waiting Their Turn

These three rookies are on the Cowboys’ practice squad at this time:

Traeshon Holden (WR) – Practice Squad
Rivaldo Fairweather (TE) – Practice squad
Justin Barron (LB) – Practice squad

Gone But Not Forgotten

Defensive tackle, and the Cowboys’ final pick of the draft, Tommy Akingbesote, was cut from the team prior to the season starting. He remains out of the NFL.

This article first appeared on Inside The Star and was syndicated with permission.

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