Cowboys Part Ways With Ballentine as Dallas Trims Roster

The Dallas Cowboys have released cornerback Corey Ballentine, continuing a wave of roster cuts that has reshaped the team's defensive depth chart in recent days. Ballentine's departure follows exits by five other defenders: safeties Donovan Wilson and C.J. Goodwin, linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., defensive end Sam Williams and center Brock Hoffman. The Cowboys currently roster 63 players against the NFL's 53-man limit, necessitating significant roster reductions before the regular season begins. Ballentine, 29, carried an overall rating of 55/100 and had not established himself as a core contributor to Dallas's secondary. With $16.8 million in remaining salary cap space, the Cowboys have room to absorb the financial implications of these departures while potentially pursuing alternative roster options. The flurry of defensive cuts reflects Dallas's evaluation priorities heading into the season. The team is clearly prioritizing youth and upside at several positions, willing to move on from veteran depth pieces to create flexibility. Ballentine's release represents the type of low-cost roster churn typical during final cuts, though the volume of defensive departures suggests the Cowboys may be planning targeted additions elsewhere on the roster. Dallas must finalize its 53-man roster before the NFL's cutdown deadline. The combination of released players and available cap space positions the team to either sign replacement-level contributors from the waiver wire or make targeted free-agent acquisitions. How effectively the Cowboys address the secondary depth created by these departures could significantly impact their defensive flexibility during the regular season.