2 Cowboys legends named Hall of Fame semifinalists for Class of 2026

From 128, down to 52, and now to 26. The Pro Football Hall of Fame's has revealed its list of modern-era semifinalists for the Class of 2026, and a pair of all-time Cowboys legends are still in the running.

Tight end Jason Witten and safety Darren Woodson have advanced in the latest round of voting. The next step in the process will further cull the list to 15 finalists later this year. Along with finalists in the Coach, Contributor, and Seniors categories, a total of between four and eight new enshrinees for Canton will be selected and announced at NFL Honors during Super Bowl Week.

Offensive lineman Erik Williams was dropped from consideration during this latest round of voting. Linebacker Dat Nguyen and defensive tackles La'Roi Glover and Jay Ratliff had been among the original nominees this year.

Witten makes the semifinals in his first year of eligibility. The club's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and games played should have a strong chance at earning a gold jacket on his initial try. But with other newcomers Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Frank Gore, and Larry Fitzgerald also making the cut, it's likely to be an especially hotly-contested competition to make the Hall this year.

Safety Darren Woodson also moves on to the next round of voting. At 56, the Cowboys' all-time leading tackler and five-time Pro Bowler has now made it to the semifinalist stage 10 times and has been a finalist the past three years running. Already in the Cowboys' ultra-exclusive Ring of Honor, Woodson is long overdue for a bronze bust, but he's on his 19th year of eligibility (out of 20) as a modern-era player... and the odds become even more stacked in the Seniors category.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys' Jason Witten, Darren Woodson advance in Hall of Fame vote