Dallas Cowboys Release Deuce Vaughn In Heart-Wrenching Roster Cut

After three electric preseason campaigns, Dallas Cowboys Running Back Deuce Vaughn found himself on the wrong side of a roster decision Tuesday afternoon. The diminutive dynamo who captured hearts with his shifty moves and underdog spirit was waived by the Cowboys as they trimmed down to their 53-man roster.

 You could feel this one coming from a mile away, but that does not make it any easier to swallow for Cowboys faithful who watched him flash his explosive potential every August. Vaughn saw limited playing time the last two years, playing in 14 total NFL games and gaining just 110 yards.

Deuce Vaughn Has the best Draft Day Story

Vaughn created one of the most emotionally charged moments in recent Cowboys draft history when he received that life-changing phone call in 2023. His father, Chris Vaughn, who works as a scout for the team, delivered the news that his son had been selected by Dallas in the sixth round. The raw emotion of that moment, A father telling his son that his NFL dreams were coming true, with the very franchise he worked for.

 This year, the writing was splattered across the wall in bold letters once Dallas selected two new running backs in the 2025 draft: Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. The Cowboys’ front office wanted to inject fresh blood into their backfield, and unfortunately for Vaughn, that meant his number was up.

 Despite showing flashes of brilliance during his preseason appearances, he struggled to translate that success to meaningful regular-season snaps. Over his two seasons in Dallas, he managed just 110 rushing yards and hauled in 10 catches for 58 additional yards. Those numbers tell the story of a player who simply could not crack through when it mattered most.

A Glimmer Of Hope Remains

Do not count out Vaughn just yet. The 5-foot-6 speedster will hit the waiver wire, and if he clears, he could land on the Cowboys’ practice squad. Dallas has a 16-man practice squad, and teams across the league know what kind of explosive plays he can create when given an opportunity.

 There was brief optimism that Vaughn might catch a break when Dallas hired Offensive Line Coach Conor Riley, who coached him at Kansas State. That connection sparked hope among fans that Riley might advocate for his former player, but ultimately, it was not enough to secure a roster spot.

The Preseason Hero Who Could Not Break Through

What made this cut particularly painful was watching Vaughn dominate during preseason action year after year. The guy was electric out there. Making defenders miss in the open field, hitting home runs when given touches, and showing the kind of game-breaking speed that gets fans out of their seats. He ran for 42 yards in the final preseason game, reminding everyone why he generated so much buzz.

 But preseason heroics and regular-season production are entirely different in the NFL. While Vaughn dazzled against second and third-string defenders, he could not find consistent ways to impact games when the lights were brightest and the competition was fiercest.