Quarterback Joe Milton returns to Dallas Cowboys, signed to practice squad

Former Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton is back with the Dallas Cowboys after clearing waivers and signed to to the practice squad on Sept. 2.

Milton was waived on Aug. 31 so the Cowboys could include running back Emari Demercado to the active roster.

Milton served as the backup behind Dak Prescott last season. Sam Howell is now the backup for the Cowboys.

Milton completed 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions during the 2026 preseason.

He has never made an NFL start in two seasons with the Cowboys and New England Patriots, but he has completed 69.8% of his passes for 424 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 66 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in five games.

Milton was the Orange Bowl MVP for Tennessee and Hendon Hooker's valuable backup. He played 29 games with 16 starts from 2021-23. He passed for 4,159 yards, 32 TDs and five interceptions and rushed for 505 yards and nine TDs.

The Patriots selected Milton in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft and traded him to the Cowboys for a fifth-round pick less than a year later in April 2025.