Will Grier

Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback #7
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback #7

Will Grier News

Healthy scratch again

Grier (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Bears, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Grier will be inactive for the second week in a row since starter Dak Prescott's return. With Cooper Rush backing up Prescott, the Cowboys will opt not to dress three quarterbacks.

Oct 30, 2022 8:51 AM EST


Signs to active roster

Dallas signed Grier to its 53-man roster Tuesday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: The Cowboys had already used their allowed three standard practice squad elevations on him in Weeks 2, 3 and 4, so with Dak Prescott (thumb) likely sitting out another game this Sunday, they saw fit to sign Grier to the active roster. The 27-year-old signal caller did not play a snap in any of the three games for which he's been called up so far, and he's just an insurance policy in case Cooper Rush goes down.

Oct 4, 2022 1:37 PM EST



Reverts to practice squad

Grier reverted to the Cowboys' practice squad Monday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Analysis: Grier did not play during Sunday's win over Washington after being elevated from Dallas' practice squad for the third week in a row. The 2019 third-round pick has essentially served as the Cowboy's backup quarterback behind Cooper Rush while starter Dak Prescott (thumb) has been sidelined. However, Grier is no longer eligible for any further game-day activations with Dallas and will need a full active roster spot in order to suit up for the team again this season.

Oct 3, 2022 4:46 PM EST


Called up once more

Grier was elevated to the active roster Saturday, Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Analysis: This becomes Grier's final standard elevation before the Cowboys are forced to make a decision on his status with the 53-man roster. The third-string backup has yet to see action behind Cooper Rush through two weeks.

Oct 1, 2022 2:12 PM EST


Back to practice squad

Grier reverted to the Cowboys' practice squad Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Analysis: Grier was elevated to the active roster for the second week in a row to backup Cooper Rush. With Dak Prescott (thumb) expected to be out for Week 4 against the Commanders, Grier will likely be elevated once again.

Sep 27, 2022 6:56 PM EST



Elevated for MNF

Grier has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of Monday's game against the Giants.

Analysis: Grier will join Dallas' active roster for the second week in a row as the backup to Cooper Rush. Grier didn't see the field in Week 2 against the Bengals while Rush led Dallas to victory sans Dak Prescott (thumb).

Sep 26, 2022 10:23 AM EST


Back on practice squad

Grier reverted to the Cowboys' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Analysis: Grier did not see the field this past Sunday after being promoted to Dallas' active roster ahead of the team's win over Cincinnati. The 2019 third-round pick served as the Cowboys' backup quarterback behind Cooper Rush, who went 19-of-31 passing for 235 yards and one touchdown in place of injured starter Dak Prescott (thumb). Grier will likely see two more such elevations from the team's practice squad with Prescott expected to sit out until at least Week 4 while recovering from thumb surgery.

Sep 19, 2022 2:41 PM EST


Bumped up to active roster

The Cowboys elevated Grier from their practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's contest against the Bengals, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Cooper Rush is expected to draw the start in place of Dak Prescott (thumb), and Grier will operate as the primary backup. However, Grier may get a chance to showcase his abilities if Rush struggles early on. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said earlier this week that Rush separated from Grier at the end of the preseason due to Grier's hamstring injury, but he would trust either one of them to lead Dallas on Sunday. "We'll be evaluating all options," Jones said. "Those guys know the offense well. They've had a lot of reps in it, and consequently give us our best shot."

Sep 17, 2022 4:07 PM EST


Joins Dallas' practice squad

Grier has signed with the Cowboys' practice squad, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Grier was competing with Cooper Rush for the opportunity to back up Dak Prescott under center. The team ultimately opted to cut both and subsequently sign them to their practice squad. One of the two will likely be called up to the roster come Week 1, as Prescott is currently the only quarterback on the roster.

Aug 31, 2022 5:42 PM EST


Waived by Dallas

The Cowboys waived Grier on Tuesday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Grier and Cooper Rush were competing for the top backup spot behind Dak Prescott during training camp, but neither backup will make the team's initial 53-man roster. The Cowboys are expected to bring back one of the two backups via a practice squad deal so they can operate as an emergency option on game days.

Aug 30, 2022 9:44 AM EST


Tosses two TDs against Seattle

Grier completed 12 of 22 passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns in Friday's preseason game against the Seahawks. He also gained 26 yards on five carries.

Analysis: The 2019 third-round pick showed off his athleticism working behind a patchwork offensive line, and Grier connected with Simi Fehoko and Brandon Smith on red-zone TDs in the second and third quarters. Cooper Rush got the start for the Cowboys and played only one series however, and Grier may not have done enough to supplant him as the No. 2 QB behind Dak Prescott.

Aug 27, 2022 4:43 AM EST


Starting Friday's preseason finale

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Grier (groin) will be "full speed" and likely play the first three quarters of Friday's preseason finale against the Seahawks, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Grier aggravated his groin injury during last week's exhibition game, but he played through the injury and won't be limited during the preseason finale. The 2019 third-round pick has looked solid at times during training camp, but he'll likely need to significantly outperform Cooper Rush on Friday to have a real chance at claiming the No. 2 job.

Aug 26, 2022 4:28 PM EST


Groin injury still a concern

Grier may have aggravated his groin injury during Saturday's preseason game, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: After the contest, head coach Mike McCarthy described the quarterback's performance as "gritty", suggesting he may not have been 100 percent. Grier has looked good at times during training camp when he's been healthy, but he'll likely need to significantly out-perform Cooper Rush in the Cowboys' final preseason game Friday to have a real chance at claiming the No. 2 job.

Aug 21, 2022 10:54 AM EST


Solid work Saturday night

Grier completed six of 10 passes for 98 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and rushed once for nine yards in the Cowboys' 32-18 preseason win over the Chargers on Saturday night.

Analysis: The 2019 third-round pick of the Panthers made his preseason debut after overcoming a groin strain, and Grier turned in a solid effort overall. The 27-year-old is battling Ben DiNucci for the No. 3 quarterback job, and he's therefore likely to get another solid allotment of playing time in Friday's exhibition finale against the Seahawks.

Aug 20, 2022 10:11 PM EST


To get 'two quarters' Saturday

Owner Jerry Jones said Grier will handle "at least two quarters" during Saturday's preseason contest at the Chargers, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: With Dak Prescott not slated to play, Cooper Rush is getting the start at quarterback for the Cowboys before handing off the offense to Grier. It will mark Grier's first action of exhibition season, as he missed the team's first preseason game due to a minor groin strain. Once Rush and Grier are done for the day, Ben DiNucci will be under center, likely for most of the fourth quarter.

Aug 20, 2022 6:38 PM EST


Back at practice

Grier (groin) returned to practice this week, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: The 27-year-old quarterback has only played in two NFL games since being drafted by Carolina in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but Grier was looking good in training camp before suffering a minor groin strain. Given Cooper Rush's shaky performance in Dallas' preseason opener, the door is still open for Grier to emerge as the team's No. 2 QB to begin the season behind Dak Prescott.

Aug 19, 2022 9:57 AM EST


Not playing Saturday

Grier (groin) is not expected to participate during the Cowboy's preseason game against the Broncos, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Grier saw reps as the Cowboy's third-string quarterback during the team's mandatory minicamp in June behind fellow backup Cooper Rush. In his absence Saturday, Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said during a pregame show that fourth-stringer Ben DiNucci "is going to get a lot of work" during the preseason opener, according to Gehlken. When healhty, Grier figures to compete with the fellow backup for third-string snaps moving forward this preseason.

Aug 13, 2022 5:34 PM EST


Third option at quarterback

Grier has been rotated in as Dallas' third-string quarterback during mandatory minicamp this past week, Mickey Spagnola of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Grier was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury in January after failing to find the field during his first season with the Cowboys. The 2019 third-round pick has logged just two games in his NFL career, throwing for 228 yards and four interceptions on 28-of-52 passing as a rookie in Carolina. Grier's current standing on Dallas' depth chart suggests that he will continue to compete for a spot on the team's final 53-man roster this offseason.

Jun 16, 2022 3:53 PM EST


Season concludes

Grier (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Analysis: Grier has not been active on game day since Week 8, with Cooper Rush occupying the backup role ahead of him. Even with Dallas hoping to make a deep postseason run, Grier's third season as a pro is over without him having recorded a statistic.

Jan 10, 2022 7:43 PM EST


Inactive again

Grier (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Giants, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Grier hasn't dressed for Dallas since Week 8, when top backup Cooper Rush made a spot start against the Vikings while Dak Prescott was sidelined with a calf injury. Expect Grier to remain a fixture on the inactive list the rest of the season so long as Prescott and Rush are both available on gamedays.

Dec 19, 2021 9:43 AM EST


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