Fourth-round pick Matt Johnson makes the team based on his potential

It is too early to give up on a fourth-round pick, and one with as much potential as Matt Johnson. The Cowboys kept the rookie safety from Eastern Washington, despite having few practice reps and little preseason film in which to judge him.

Johnson was not much of a participant in the Cowboys’ organized team activities as his school’s schedule prevented him, by NFL rules, from practicing until the final day. He then missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury.

He tweaked the hamstring after only three preseason snaps against the Rams on Aug. 25 and sat out Wednesday’s exhibition finale against the Dolphins.

Johnson was one of five safeties the Cowboys kept, joining starters Gerald Sensabaugh and Barry Church and backups Mana Silva and Danny McCray.

-- Charean Williams