Kyle

Wilber

Wilber was with the Raiders and active for all but four games from 2018 to 2020. He’ll add some veteran depth to an unremarkable linebacker room. The team also signed linebacker Justin March-Lillard.

Wilber spent the last six seasons as a key special teamer in Dallas. He can also back up at both outside linebacker spots.

Wilber wasn’t much of a pass rusher as a stand-up defensive end for the Demon Deacons, but he does possess the skill-set to play 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. The key in Dallas will be focusing on using his length, wingspan, and comfort in space to his advantage. Expect Wilbert to focus on special teams as a rookie before emerging as a candidate to replace Anthony Spencer opposite DeMarcus Ware.

Anthony Spencer will handle the strong side this year, but is playing under the franchise tag. Wilber will compete with Victor Butler for the backup job, and could emerge as Spencer’s eventual replacement. The former Wake Forest standout will spend his rookie year as a nickel pass rusher and special teams contributor.

His status is uncertain for the start of OTAs. Wilber’s injury should still prove only a minor setback. He figures to be healed by training camp in two months.

Spencer, the team’s franchise player this season, will turn 29 in January and figures to command a hefty payday next offseason. The Cowboys could choose to move on to Butler, a 2009 fourth-rounder who had three sacks and 10 hurries in limited playing time last season. Anyone lining up opposite DeMarcus Ware will see plenty of single blocks. Rookie Kyle Wilber is also in the mix as a pass-rushing outside linebacker.

The former Wake Forest star was one of the best players on the field in rookie minicamp, but missed the remainder of OTAs after breaking his finger.

Wilber joined third-rounder Tyrone Crawford (calf) and fifth-rounder Danny Coale (foot) on the sidelines for minicamp after surgery to his right index finger. After 13.5 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss in 43 games at Wake Forest, Wilber is expected to begin his career as a special teamer and situational pass rusher behind Anthony Spencer.

He’ll miss all of OTAs, although Wilber will be on the practice field digesting Rob Ryan’s defense. Wilber isn’t being counted on to start as a rookie, so the injury isn’t a concern. He could push for snaps late in the year, though.

He’ll undergo surgery. Wilber missed most of the Cowboys’ offseason program as he recovered from surgery to repair a broken right index finger, but had yet to miss a practice in camp. Wilber should be limited to special teams when he returns, but could see snaps as a situational pass rusher later in the season.