Near the end of the preseason game in Los Angeles against the Rams, the Cowboys saw one of their project players go down with an injury.

Connor Hamlett, a tight end who made you scratch your chin, suffered a broken fibula. Unfortunately this means the end of his time with the Dallas Cowboys as they are waiving him and will sign M.J. McFarland in his place.

The Cowboys will sign tight end M.J. McFarland, who had been with the team in the offseason program. Connor... https://t.co/yWFLMhMHqC — Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 15, 2017

McFarland spent about a month with the Cowboys earlier this summer. He’s a former Texas Longhorn just like Geoff Swaim, who is actually part of the reason why McFarland is necessary these days.

Both Swaim and veteran James Hanna were lost for the season at different points last year, and as a result the Cowboys are being careful with them. Jason Witten is on Gold Jacket status in terms of rest, and despite the wishes of many not every snap can go to Rico Gathers.

McFarland is a classic case of camp body, and he’ll allow things to be easier logistically for the Cowboys as they venture through the rest of the preseason period. It’s unfortunate what happened to Connor Hamlett, but such is life in the NFL.