 On April 13, 1984, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys along with a 1984 second-round pick (#54-Bo Eason) and a fifth-rounder in the 1985 NFL Draft (#114-Herschel Walker), in exchange for wide receiver Butch Johnson and a 1984 second-round pick (#40-Victor Scott).Although he proved his worth as the team's possession receiver in the Oilers run-oriented offenses of the Earl Campbell era, he never had the opportunities to achieve high receiving numbers, even when catching balls from quarterback greats Dan Pastorini, Kenny Stabler and Archie Manning

In 1984, he was acquired by the Dallas Cowboys after starter Drew Pearson suffered a career-ending car accident.At the time, he posted his best statistical season with 35 receptions (fifth on the team) for 583 yards (third on the team), a 16.7-yard average and 2 touchdowns.