Former Samford defensive back Christian Matthew has signed with the Dallas Cowboys, the NFL team announced on Tuesday.

Matthew did not play in 2024.

He spent the entire season on the Baltimore Ravens’ injured-reserve list because of an undisclosed injury and had been a free agent since March 12.

Dallas signed Matthew after working out four cornerbacks on Monday.

Matthew played for Samford in 2018 and 2019, then moved to Valdosta State as a graduate transfer.

Because the coronavirus pandemic caused the NCAA Division II schedule to be canceled in 2020, he had to wait to 2021 to earn All-Gulf South Conference recognition and help Valdosta State reach the NCAA Division II championship game.

The Arizona Cardinals chose Matthew in the seventh round of the NFL Draft on April 30, 2022. He played in 14 games, with three starts as a rookie.

In addition to 180 special-teams plays, Matthew played 235 defensive snaps in 2022.

After Matthew played exclusively on special teams in the first four games of the 2023 season, the Cardinals waived the cornerback.

Two days later, Matthew joined the Chicago Bears’ practice squad for the remainder of the 2023 regular season. The Bears elevated Matthew for two games of special-teams duty.

After Chicago’s season ended, the Ravens picked up Matthew for their practice squad in the postseason.