Cowboys place rookie defender on Injured Reserve ahead of Week 11

As we anticipated last week, the Dallas Cowboys have signed linebacker Rashaan Evans to the 53-man roster ahead of Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers. 

After using his three practice squad elevations, it was the only way for Evans to keep playing with the Cowboys. According to Ian Rapoport's report, multiple NFL teams tried to poach Evans off of Dallas' practice squad. Now, he's secure as one of their 53. 

However, that means the team needed to open up a roster spot. Hours after news on Evans wrote, we now finally know a name.

Cowboys place rookie on Injured Reserve 

Instead of cutting a player as many speculated, the Cowboys instead placed fourth-round rookie DE Viliami Fehoko Jr. on IR (knee), which would knock him out for a minimum of four games.

If we look a little closer, it could mean the end of Fehoko's season, however. The rookie DE has been a healthy scratch all season long, logging zero games entering Week 11. He unexpectedly appeared on the injury report earlier in the week despite being listed as a full participant.

Plus, the Cowboys are very deep at defensive end. As long as the defensive line room remains healthy, Dallas will be in no rush to bring back the inexperienced rookie defender. 

There's likely another roster move coming as Peyton Hendershot nears return 

Although the Cowboys haven't announced it, there could be more roster maneuvers coming our way. Second-year TE Peyton Hendershot is expected to return from IR and the offense could use somebody else while Luke Schoonmaker continues to struggle.

Hendershot has three weeks to be activated since he returned to practice on Wednesday. Even if he isn't activated for Week 11, a move should come very soon.