Dallas ruled out DaRon Bland for Sunday against the Giants with a foot injury, offering little clarity on a return timeline. The Cowboys won’t IR him yet, signaling a likely return before four weeks if possible. With Bland out, Reddy Steward projects as the primary slot man, aided by familiarity with Cowboys coaches from Chicago and the Bears connection to their staff. Zion Childress could get a look from the practice squad or safety-based packages could be deployed. Dallas hits a testy stretch: Giants, Bears, Packers, Jets.

Steward’s path is shaded by past stints with Matt Eberflus, Andre Curtis and David Overstreet in Chicago, which should ease his transition. The plan will hinge on how quickly Bland can return, and how the defense adjusts to cover the slot without their top nickel option. The timeline remains fluid, but the approach centers on depth and smart matchups.

Dallas trimmed to 53 and instantly replenished depth by waiving two defensive backs, Trikweze Bridges and Reddy Steward, who land on the active roster as Dallas continues to fortify the back end for 2025. The club also shores up its WR group, bringing Traeshon Holden aboard as an UDFA and re-sigining Jalen Brooks to the practice squad, highlighting a mixed approach of upside and special-teams contribution.

Holden and Brooks give Dallas more receiving stock to develop behind the top targets, while Bridges and Steward provide flexibility at corner and safety. The bigger story remains the ongoing practice-squad churn, with coach Brian Schottenheimer weighing depth, special-teams impact, and development as the 53-man mix evolves toward Week 1.

Vikings cut down to 53 by Tuesday’s 4:00 p.m. ET deadline after a 1-2 preseason, with UDFA cornerback Reddy Steward among the first batch to go. The move signals the depth chart reshuffle ahead of Week 1 at Chicago and the early stretch of a schedule featuring the Bears, Falcons, Bengals, Steelers, and Browns—with London trips looming in Weeks 4 and 5. Waivers and late adds will shape the Vikings’ fantasy-relevant roles, especially on defense and at the back end of the roster.

The preseason loss to Tennessee framed a tight competition for roster spots, underscoring how much special-teams and depth will matter as the Vikings chase value players on the waiver wire. Steward’s fate highlights the risk-reward of UDFA bets; still, the bulk of the cuts will ripple across cornerback and receiver groups, setting the table for early-season fantasy pivots and potential surprise contributors.