IRVING, Texas -- With injuries to DeMarcus Ware, George Selvie and Jason Hatcher, the Dallas Cowboys called up defensive end Jason Vega from the practice squad.
Vega signed with the Cowboys in training camp on Aug. 21 after his release from the New England Patriots and was among their final cuts. In the preseason finale vs. the Houston Texans he had four tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. He spent the first six weeks of the season on the practice squad.
“It’s a good feeling knowing that I’ve been working hard a long time for this given that this is my first year in the NFL,” Vega said.
Vega played two years for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL before joining the Patriots as a free agent.
Given the tempo at which the Eagles play, Vega figures to be part of the defensive line rotation Sunday.
“They make a pretty good effort to make sure we know the plays, even the practice squad guys, in case of events like this so we’re called up and ready and not trying to go through a learning curve,” Vega said. “The coaches have done a really good job of keeping me up to date in terms of what I need to know.”
Vega will also be carrying the torch of sorts for his alma mater, Northeastern University. The school dropped the football program after the 2009 season and he is the lone active player on an NFL roster.
“I think it’s moreso for the guys I used to play with,” Vega said. “I hear from them every once and a while and they’re like, ‘You’ve got to keep playing for us. You’re the last one,’ type thing. That’s really good to hear.”