Cowboys bring back special teams ace, add backup tackle

Updated Mar. 16, 2021 5:16 p.m. ET

Associated Press

The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back one of their special teams aces in C.J. Goodwin and adding veteran Ty Nsekhe as a backup tackle as their quiet opening to free agency continues.

Goodwin, a cornerback, agreed Tuesday on a $3.5 million, two-year contract, agent Drew Rosenhaus said. Nsekhe, a Dallas-area native who spent the past two seasons in Buffalo after four years in Washington, has accepted a one-year contract, according to his agency, Elite Loyalty Sports.

Those moves come a day after long snapper Jake McQuaide agreed to a one-year contract with Dallas, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been announced.

McQuaide's arrival signals the end of L.P. Ladouceur's 16-year run as the long snapper of the Cowboys. Ladouceur, who turned 40 last weekend, set the record last year for most NFL games by a Canadian-born player. He's at 253 games.

McQuaide spent his first 10 NFL seasons with the Rams in St. Louis and Los Angeles and will be reunited with special teams coach John Fassel, who left LA for Dallas last year.

Goodwin is set for his fourth season with Dallas after stints with Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Arizona during his first four years in the league. The 31-year-old had nine tackles last season but was an important part of special teams.

The 35-year-old Nsekhe was a backup in Buffalo after being a part-time starter in Washington. He made his NFL debut at 27 with the St. Louis Rams in 2012 and played Arena Football, too. Nsekhe would essentially replace Cameron Erving, who is set to sign with Carolina.

The Cowboys had already made another move with special teams in mind by agreeing to re-sign receiver Noah Brown on a one-year contract. Defensive tackle Antwaun Woods and receiver Cedrick Wilson are expected to be offered tenders as restricted free agents.

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