La'el

Collins

Collins was signed at the start of August to add depth, but the 32-year-old didn’t do enough in his limited time with Dallas to make the 53-man roster. Collins last took NFL snaps in 2022, so he is unlikely to be more than one of the last few players on the roster as long as he’s still playing.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris said, “Good workout leads to a reunion for Collins in Oxnard.” Collins may be called into action for a Cowboys offensive line experiencing multiple injury issues. Starters, LT Tyler Guyton (knee) and LG Tyler Smith (knee), along with backups, OG Rob Jones (neck), OT Matt Waletzko (ankle) and OT Hakeem Adeniji (concussion), are all banged up.

Collins spent 2024 as a reserve with the Bills, logging zero offensive snaps. Now 32 years old, Collins’ best days are behind him. He would provide the Cowboys with a known presence as the team works through multiple offensive line injuries. Collins spent the 2015-2021 seasons serving as the Cowboys’ right tackle.

According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, Collins can earn up to $6.25 million on this deal. The veteran lineman has started in 86 games over his seven-year career, but didn’t take a regular season snap in 2023 after recovering from a torn ACL in Week 16 of the 2022 season. Collins earned a PFF pass blocking grade 44.2 in his last season of action, where he started every game at right tackle for the Bengals. Collins spent his rookie season at left guard, and should provide the Bills with plenty of versatility if he can get back to his old form.

Collins worked out for the Cowboys earlier this week. There were reportedly other teams interested in his services, but a reunion with Dallas was always the most likely outcome. Collins played for Dallas from 2015 to 2021. He then joined the Bengals. Things didn’t work out in Cincinnati and he was released in September. Collins will get back up to playing speed while on the Cowboys’ practice squad. The team can call him up to the gameday roster whenever they deem fit.

Rapoport said Collins, who played for Dallas from 2015 to 2021, could be signed to the team’s practice squad if his workout goes well. Collins, 30, who last played for the Bengals in 2022, would then work his way to the game day roster as the Cowboys approach the postseason. He tore his MCL and ACL late last season but has reportedly recovered from the injuries.

Collins was with the Bengals before getting released in September. He was nursing a torn ACL and MCL in the offseason, but passed a physical and has garnered suitors since being let go. Collins visited the Jets on Tuesday and will visit the Giants on Wednesday. The New York teams could use a boost from the former star tackle.

Collins was let go by the Bengals after spending all of training camp on the active/PUP list. The 30-year-old lineman suffered a torn ACL and MCL late last season, and was unable to get on the field until just recently. Collins has already drawn interest from the Patriots, but could find other suitors in the coming days now that he’s passed a physical. Collins started 15 games at right tackle for the Bengals last season, earning a PFF grade of 57.9 while allowing 34 pressures and five sacks.

Daniels reports that, according to a league source, the Patriots have shown interest in Collins but that interest is considered due diligence at this point. New England does have a need at offensive tackle after left tackle Trent Brown missed practice on Wednesday and starting right tackle Riley Reiff was placed on the injured reserve to start the season.

Once thought of as a future star lineman, Collins is hitting the free agent market after being released from the Bengals’ PUP list. Collins tore his ACL and MCL in Week 16 of the 2022 season. Still only 30-years old, Collins will look to catch on with another team in need of help at the tackle position.