Cowboys to add two "futures" players

January, 10, 2012
1/10/12
8:14
AM CT
IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys will sign safety Justin Taplin-Ross and outside linebacker Baraka Atkins to “futures” contracts but they have some background with these players.

The Cowboys agreed to a deal with Taplin-Ross as an undrafted free agent after the lockout ended, but he failed the team physical. He started 13 games in 2010 at Utah and finished with 41 tackles to go with a sack, two interceptions and 4.5 tackles for loss.

Atkins, 6-4, 271 pounds, was among 17 players to work out for the Cowboys last month. He was a fourth-round pick by Seattle in 2007 and played defensive end. He will play outside linebacker for the Cowboys. He has not played since 2009 and went to camp in 2011 with the Steelers as an outside linebacker.

The Cowboys signed their five practice squad players to futures contracts last week: cornerback Mario Butler, linebacker Orie Lemon, defensive tackle Robert Calloway, wide receiver Teddy Williams and cornerback C.J. Wilson.
Todd Archer joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2010. He's covered the NFL since 1997 and the Cowboys since 2003. He covered the Bengals and Dolphins before arriving in Dallas. A Massachusetts native, Archer lives in the Dallas area with his wife and two children.

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