The Dallas Cowboys announced on November 16 that wide receiver Antonio Callaway and edge rusher Takkarist McKinley have been signed to the practice squad, a first step before elevating them to the active roster.
Callaway promises to add speed and depth to a thinned-out receiving corps if he can stay out of trouble, while McKinley gives defensive coordinator Dan Quinn yet another excellent option in a stacked room.
Callaway has potential and posted a 4.41-second 40-yard dash while at the University of Florida prior to being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2018. However, the speedy receiver seems to get into trouble faster than he can catch a touchdown pass.
After missing his junior year in Florida due to sexual assault allegations, he was suspended for the 2017 season after allegedly using stolen credit card information for bookstore purchases. That same year, he was cited by local law enforcement for possession of marijuana.
Callaway tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2018, then was ticketed for possession of marijuana during a traffic stop in which the receiver was allegedly driving on a suspended license. Police found gun parts and bullets in his vehicle at the time of the stop.
As a member of the Browns, Callaway received a four-game suspension in 2019, then a 10-game ban for allegedly testing positive for marijuana that caused him to miss the final seven games of 2020 and the first three games last season. The receiver argued that the failed tests were due to contaminated CBD pain products.
Cleveland eventually cut ties with Callaway after repeated issues on and off the field. Callaway was benched for showing up late to a game, then released the next day. He joined Miami while serving part of his 10-game suspension. He has not been active on an NFL roster since 2020 when he caught two passes in three games for a total of 20 yards.
McKinley has a history with Quinn when the coach and player were on the Atlanta Falcons roster. McKinley was a first-round pick in 2017 and had success in his first three seasons, but he managed to play in only four games in his final year with the Falcons due to injuries.
After failing physicals for the 49ers and Raiders, the defensive end eventually signed with Cleveland for the 2021 season. He played in 11 games with the Browns before a ruptured Achilles tendon injury that required surgery curtailed his season.
McKinley was with the Los Angeles Rams this season, appearing in four games but recording just one tackle. When healthy, his speed and range make him adept at shutting down the edge, whether that means rushing the passer or preventing screens and bootleg runs.
Both players have been added to the Cowboys practice squad, so no releases were necessary. Only time will tell if the Cowboys have struck gold by taking a chance on a receiver who can’t seem to stay out of trouble and a defensive tackle with an extensive injury history.