The Dallas Cowboys have recently signed cornerback Luq Barcoo, a former player for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, to their practice squad ahead of Week 18. Barcoo, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020, has had a unique and somewhat winding journey in the league, having spent time with seven different teams since his debut.
Barcoo’s most recent stint was with the Steelers, whom he joined in January 2024. However, his time in Pittsburgh was short-lived. He was waived on June 3, 2024, and subsequently released with an injury settlement on June 12. Despite his brief stay with the Steelers, Barcoo did not see any action in regular season games.
Before his brief time in Pittsburgh, Barcoo’s NFL career was marked by several stops. He initially began his professional journey with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, where he managed to record 10 tackles and one pass deflection in three games. Following his time with Jacksonville, Barcoo spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and New York Jets. Throughout these moves, most of his playing time was limited to preseason games.
In 2023, Barcoo also took his talents to the XFL, where he played for the San Antonio Brahmas. Despite his potential, Barcoo’s most recent game action came back in 2020, when he was with Jacksonville. Since then, he has yet to appear in a regular season game in the NFL.
The Cowboys’ decision to add Barcoo to their practice squad appears to be a move aimed at increasing depth ahead of their Week 18 game against the Washington Commanders, though it is unlikely he will see any game action in that contest. The move could also be part of the Cowboys’ preparation for the offseason, as Barcoo may be offered a futures contract following the season. This would allow him to attend the team’s training camp in the summer, where he could potentially compete for a spot on the regular roster.
In summary, signing Barcoo seems to be a low-risk decision by the Cowboys to bolster their depth. While his immediate role in Dallas remains uncertain, this opportunity could serve as a crucial stepping stone for Barcoo to continue his NFL career.