The Cowboys are not letting the Deuce get loose – by placing him on the waiver wire. … Instead, the Cowboys hope to turn Deuce Vaughn loose on opposing defenses this season, as the running back was informed that he is on the team’s 53-man roster.

Vaughn will join running backs Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott and fullback Hunter Luepke to form what’s expected to be a timeshare in the Cowboys’ backfield. Running backs Malik Davis, Royce Freeman, Nathaniel Peat and Scoop Connor were all cut.

Also among the cuts were former fourth-round picks Josh Ball and Viliami Fehoko Jr., and sixth-rounder Eric Scott Jr.

After losing out the roster battle to Brevyn Spann-Ford, backup tight end Peyton Hendershot was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a future late-round pick, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Spann-Ford will be a depth option behind tight ends Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker and John Stephens.

Linebacker Darius Harris, a standout in the Cowboys’ final preseason game against the Chargers, was cut, as were linebackers Willie Harvey, Jason Johnson, Brock Mogensen, Nick Vigil and Damien Wilson. Buddy Johnson, another standout performer this preseason, did make the team.

In the wide receiver battle, 2024 sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy earned a roster spot after catching touchdown passes in each of the last two preseason games. Flournoy will join a receiver room that includes CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Brooks.

Lamb isn’t currently on the 53-man roster after signing a massive extension with the Cowboys on Tuesday but will be activated by Week 1. Lamb will likely take the spot of offensive tackle Chuma Edoga, who can be moved to IR.

Some of the other notable players on the roster bubble who made the team were offensive tackle Matt Waletzko and defensive end Tyrus Wheat.

Cornerback Kemon Hall, who had a strong preseason, was also cut, and the final cornerback spot went to Andrew Booth.