Cowboys' Shemar James: Reaches double-digit tackles again
Rotowire
James recorded a team-high 11 tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Panthers.
The rookie linebacker has broken out for 26 tackles over the last two games, taking advantage of the absence of Jack Sanborn (concussion). Even when Sanborn is cleared to return, it's hard to imagine a struggling Cowboys defense returning James to the bench when he's been one of the few impact players on the unit the last two weeks.
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Cowboys' Shemar James: Erupts for 15 tackles
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James recorded 15 tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's win over the Jets.
Jack Sanborn left the game in the first half to be checked for a concussion and didn't return, and James seized the opportunity to make his case for a much bigger role. The 2025 fifth-round pick has the speed and athleticism to make a consistent impact in Matt Eberflus' LB-friendly defensive scheme, and Sanborn has been a liability in coverage to begin the season. Even if the veteran is healthy for a Week 6 clash with the Panthers, James may leap ahead of him on the depth chart.
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Cowboys' Shemar James: Makes impact in NFL debut
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James recorded five tackles (one solo) on 26 defensive snaps in Sunday's 40-40 overtime tie with the Packers.
A fifth-round pick in 2025, James was inactive for the first three games of the season, but the Florida product was busy late in Sunday's game after Kenneth Murray left in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury. Murray was able to return to the field, but James may have made a good enough impression in his NFL debut to retain a role in the linebacker rotation for a Week 5 tilt against the Jets.
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Cowboys' Shemar James: Picks off pass in preseason finale
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James recorded five tackles (two solo) and an interception in Friday's preseason win over the Falcons.
The 2025 fifth-round pick has been coming on as training camp progressed, and he was in the right place at the right time Friday to pick off an Easton Stick pass over the middle early in the fourth quarter. James won't begin his career as a starter, but he appears to have done enough to secure a roster spot and should see snaps on special teams while working in as a depth option at linebacker behind Marist Liufau, Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn.
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Cowboys' Shemar James: Getting first-team reps
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James has been spotting in with the first-team defense in practice, Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com reports.
The 2025 fifth-round pick isn't likely to win a starting role ahead of Week 1, but there are snaps available at linebacker due to DeMarvion Overshown (knee) being set to miss the beginning of the season. James is best suited to play against the run at this stage of his career, and his primary competition for early-down reps could come from veteran Jack Sanborn, who signed a one-year deal with Dallas in March.
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Cowboys' Shemar James: Linebacker heads to Dallas
Rotowire
The Cowboys selected James in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 152nd overall.
The Cowboys traded up to take James, who started 25 games over three seasons at Florida and tallied 166 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. He'll turn 21 years old this summer. James (6-foot-1, 222 pounds) is a dependable run defender with impressive athleticism, and while he still needs development in pass coverage, he could develop into a starter eventually. The Cowboys currently have Jack Sanborn -- who has 19 NFL starts through three seasons -- atop the depth chart at middle linebacker. James can push for the starting gig, but he'll likely have to wait his turn while contributing on special teams.
