​The Cowboys’ recent retirement of special teams standout C.J. Goodwin underscores a broader truth: building a complete 53-man roster requires depth and versatility beyond the star positions. While the third phase of the game—special teams—often flies under the radar, its influence on a team’s success is undeniable. History reinforces this point: the 2010 San Diego Chargers featured the league’s top-ranked offense and defense, yet missed the playoffs largely due to disastrous special teams play. It’s not a stretch to say that elite teams must have quality personnel thriving on all phases of the game.
In 2025, Dallas’s punt units were a clear weakness. Overall, the Cowboys’ special teams finished as the second-most penalized unit in the league under first-year coordinator Nick Sorensen, and they consistently left their defense and offense with unfavorable starting field positions. A look at last season’s punt personnel reveals how many role players are required not only to support the primary positions but also to become essential on transitional plays.
The punt unit begins with long snapper Trent Sieg, who hands the ball to punter Brian Anger. Sieg is flanked by four linemen—two on each side—but because true linemen aren’t practical for coverage duties, the group is composed of a mix of offensive and defensive players who possess blocking ability. Next come the wings, who operate on the edges of the offensive line much like an H-back. Wide operate the gunners, a pair of speedy players charged with spearheading the tackling of the opponent’s punt returner. Finally, the personal protector lines up between the line and the punter, cruising as the unit’s last line of protection and ensuring the punt’s proper execution.
Across 42 punt plays, Dallas deployed 18 different players, and none of them were among the 22 projected starters. Sieg and Anger, along with backup tight end Luke Schoonmaker and fullback Hunter Luepke, were the only players who participated in every punt snap. Goodwin missed the Cowboys’ first punt of the season but appeared on the remaining 41 snaps. Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford took part in 40 snaps, while safety Markquese Bell logged 39. Looking ahead to 2026, Sieg, Anger, Spann-Ford, and Luepke appear to be roster anchors, but the futures of Schoonmaker and Bell remain in question. Linebacker Marist Liufau played 34 punt snaps, yet his move to a new defensive role puts him on the roster bubble. Linebacker Damone Clark, who logged 29 snaps, is already off the roster, as is safety Juanyeh Thomas with 20 snaps.
If running back Malik Davis (20 snaps), safety Alijah Clark (17), and running back Jaydon Blue (2) make the squad in 2026, they could secure their spots by contributing on punt coverage and other special teams units, especially if they continue to show value on those plays. These kinds of contributions can be the deciding factor that keeps a player on the roster, even if their primary position is deep on the depth chart.
The Cowboys face a clear reminder: to compete at the highest level, they must field reliable, multi-skilled players who can contribute on special teams as much as their primary roles. The 2025 season demonstrated that neglecting the third phase can undermine even a team with strong starting talent. As they refine the roster for 2026, the challenge will be to identify the right mix of players who can excel in punt coverage, provide dependable long snapping, and deliver consistent performance on the other special-teams units, ensuring fewer penalties and better field position across the board. You can follow Angel on X @ArmyChiefW3 and engage with Cowboys fans on Cowboys Wire’s Facebook page to join the discussion. This overview originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Inside the Cowboys punt team turnover and its effect on the final 53 for better SEO.