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[Dallas Cowboys]

NFC East news: Jaxson Dart gets advice from former Brian Daboll QB

Josh Allen’s advice to rookie QB Jaxson Dart – Dan Salomone, Giants.com​

One New York QB shares his advice and wisdom with another.

The defending MVP won’t be playing, but Saturday will be surreal for Jaxson Dart in the home of Josh Allen.

Brian Daboll, who has worked on the ground floor of both first-round quarterbacks, did not announce if the Giants’ starters will play in the preseason opener in Buffalo.

Daboll, however, confirmed one thing.

“He’s playing,” Daboll said of Dart. “There you go. Tweet that out.”

Everyone did.

Thus, the 25th overall draft pick is set to begin his NFL journey. Whether that happens in the first or second half remains to be seen.

“This is just the start of a dream of mine,” Dart said. “So, I’m excited to take that next step, be out there, compete at the highest level. My family’s going to be there, so I’m super excited to have them a part of this journey with me and I think that’s really it. I’m just stoked for the opportunity.”

Days after the draft, which saw the Giants trade up to select Dart and pair him with Abdul Carter in the first round, the incoming rookie connected with the Bills quarterback. Two months earlier, Allen won his first league MVP award. It was the individual high point of a career that started with Daboll as his offensive coordinator in 2018.

“He’s been somebody who I’ve really looked up to and since coming here, just watching a ton of his tape and how he was able to operate Coach Dabs’ system,” Dart said. “It’s going to be kind of a surreal feeling to be on the same field as him.”

And that system has been known to be difficult to learn, even for veterans.

Knowing the offense is only a portion of a quarterback’s job description. Allen, who is 76-34 as a starter and has led the Bills to six postseason appearances, emphasized everything else.

“He talked a lot about leadership,” Dart said. “That was kind of like his main thing and then trying to be the best teammate for the guys around you because as a quarterback, you have to raise the standards of everybody. Obviously, schematics, I think that what shows up on Coach Dabs’ record is being able to coach many different quarterbacks who have different skill sets and kind of molding offenses around what they’re good at, so kind of just hone in on the key details of Coach Dabs’ offense and really trust it. I think, at times, maybe quarterbacks will predetermine things and not really trust the system, but the special thing about Coach Dabs is he gives us a ton of freedom, so there’s answers to everything that you can really think of.”

Eagles vs. Bengals Preseason: The good, the bad, and the ugly – Joseph Santoliquito, BleedingGreenNation.com​

Philly has played their first preseason game; here are some takeaways.

The Good​

Quarterback Tanner McKee looked good directing the Eagles 75 yards over nine plays for a touchdown on the Eagles’ opening drive. McKee was a perfect 2-for-2 for 27 yards and scored on a Brotherly Shove. He continues to show he has a command of the offense and is a very viable back-up to Jalen Hurts. McKee closed the first half completing 14 of 17 for 193 yards, with one bad throw. He threw for two touchdowns and scored on a Brotherly Shove play. He directed two scores in the last 2:46 of the half. Over six drives, McKee directed the Eagles to three touchdowns and two field goals, with one punt. He ended the night completing 20 of 25 for 252 yards and two touchdown passes.

Right guard Tyler Steen’s block on Bengals’ first-team linebacker Logan Wilson, steering him inside, creating a gaping hole on Will Shipley’s 38-yard run on the Eagles’ opening possession.

The Bad​

The Eagles were flagged 10 times for 80 yards.

Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson missing an open Johnny Wilson midway through the third quarter. Wilson was open and DTR overthrew him.

Cornerback Eli Ricks dropping a sure interception in the last minute of the first half.

Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson thundering through Eagles’ rookie linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. and rookie nickelback Mac McWilliams. Not a good preseason start for a pair of fifth-round picks.

The Ugly​

Tight end Grant Calcaterra’s drop on a third-and-5at the Bengals’ 26 on the Eagles’ second drive. McKee rolled right and found Calcaterra on the sideline, and the ball went right through his hands.

Cornerback Kelee Ringo’s terrible angle on Ja’Marr Chase on the Bengals’ second drive. Chase turned the Ringo mistake into a 36-yard touchdown reception and a 14-7 Bengals’ lead. On the play, Ringo did not use the sideline, allowing Chase to cut up field when he stepped inside the receiver. It turned into a very easy touchdown. The Eagles were in a blitz. Ringo did not crowd Chase, giving him way too much respect.

Could the Commanders use a rare rule with Terry McLaurin in 2025? – Serena Burks, USA Today​

Washington may have a trick up their sleeve with McLaurin’s contract negotiations.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin wants a contract extension. It’s not a secret; it’s been all over the news. He returned to the team during training camp, but did not pass the preseason physical and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons and Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson also returned to their teams, but neither of them is practicing, holding out for their own extensions.

While talks between all three teams and players continue, each team has an option in its back pocket that it can use if an agreement is not reached. Former NFL agent and current CBS Sports writer Joel Corry writes:

Under the NFL Constitution and Bylaws, a team can send a player a letter informing him that he can be put on the reserve/left squad list if he doesn’t return within five days after leaving. Once placed on the reserve/left squad list, a player is prohibited from attending team meetings, practicing and playing for the rest of the season. This letter must be sent in order for a player to be put the reserve/left squad list.

The player’s contract also tolls where it is frozen and resumes the next year. For example, Parsons would be playing the 2026 season under his $24.007 million fifth-year option for 2025. A player doesn’t receive payment while his contract has tolled.

There are only a few times I can recall a five-day letter being sent over the last 20 years (Kentwan Balmer, Su’a Cravens, Percy Harvin and Richard Seymour). That’s because situations where one could be warranted are few and far between.

Now, none of these teams really wants to do that for a variety of reasons, but the Commanders specifically do not want to do that with McLaurin. For one thing, at the age of 30, sitting out an entire year will kill all of the momentum he’s built over the last five years. On top of that, McLaurin is an essential part of Jayden Daniels’ development.

Still, if push comes to shove and the Commanders decide they definitely don’t want to trade McLaurin, this is an option.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...-east-news-jaxson-dart-gets-advice-josh-allen

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

3 under the radar Cowboys players to watch in Preseason Week 1

It’s highly unlikely we’ll see many of the Dallas Cowboys starters when they square off against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 of the preseason. This is becoming common practice around the league as teams typically wait until the third preseason game to get their starters some work, if at all. The other preseason games are generally used to get a better understanding of the backups prior to when roster cuts need to be made to get under the league mandated 53-man limit.

Unfortunately, that takes a little bit of the excitement out of these preseason matches. As a fan though, it does give us the opportunity to get a better look at some of Dallas’ depth players this year, many of which could play important roles this season. That’s why today we decided to share some of the underrated players will be keeping an eye on Saturday afternoon against the Rams.

H-back Hunter Luepke​

Hunter Luepke is a little more well-known around Cowboys Nation than the other two players to make this list, but he’s still someone to keep an eye on in preseason as it looks like his offensive role will expand significantly in 2025 under Brian Schottenheimer and his coaching staff. You might want to keep an eye on where he lines up on any given play. Already in training camp we’ve seen him line up in the backfield as a fullback and halfback, and he’s also been seen taking snaps at tight end. The 2023 undrafted free agent’s position flex and versatility could make him a unique offensive weapon this season, getting him on the field more often than in years past.

A lot of praise for FB Hunter Luepke early in camp pic.twitter.com/uPHshzq7Sw

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 28, 2025

CB Kemon Hall​

The Cowboys current situation at CB heading into preseason Week 1 is one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the roster to date. They’ve been mixing and matching different players throughout training camp trying to find the best fit until Trevon Diggs, Josh Butler, and Shavon Revel are able to return from their season-ending injuries. The biggest challenge seems to be who replaces Jourdan Lewis in the slot. DaRon Bland is likely the best option, but Dallas can’t seem to decide if he’s best outside or in. The next best option seems to be Kemon Hall, who has been playing in the slot when Bland is on the outside. A strong showing could earn him the job.

Kemon Hall makes plays pic.twitter.com/oedLiZvkeE

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) August 4, 2025

WR Traeshon Holden​

As an undrafted free agent this year, Traeshon Holden is one of the lesser-known wide receivers currently on the Cowboys roster. Despite going undrafted, Holden has been a training camp stand out, making noteworthy plays in nearly every practice. With CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert, and Jonathan Mingo ahead of him on the depth chart, he is currently sitting on the bubble to make Dallas’ final 53-man roster. If the Cowboys choose to stick with just five WRs on the roster this year he could be the odd man out. However, if his strong training camp carries over to the preseason he could force them to keep six.

Traeshon Holden pic.twitter.com/59U6MbUYxD

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 30, 2025

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...-cowboys-players-to-watch-in-preseason-week-1

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys vs. Rams preseason: UDFA stars of the game

Much of the attention heading into last night’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams centered on how the offense would perform with Joe Milton playing under center for the majority of the contest and whether the defensive line could hold up against Los Angeles. The results were mixed. While Milton made improvements during the later stages of the game, he struggled with accuracy, often throwing behind his receivers. The Cowboys allowed the Rams to get chunk plays on the ground, which led to them racing out to a 14-0 lead. That said, even in a loss, there are some things the Cowboys can take away as positives, especially when evaluating the bottom of their roster. A few undrafted free agents made the most of their opportunity and were the undrafted stars of the night.

Traeshon Holden​

Traeshon Holden has put together some strong training camp performances and has made it a habit of making big plays down the field on a routine basis. We saw some of that carry over to the game against Los Angeles. Holden had the biggest offensive play of the night for the Cowboys, connecting with Joe Milton on a 36-yard gain down the right sideline. Although Milton did struggle to get on the same page with some of the receivers, Holden has been one of the more consistent targets for Milton.

7 down the sideline @Qbjayy7 x @Traeski11

: #DALvsLAR on CBS11
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/RmDxAeDdUk pic.twitter.com/GN8PUspxvv

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 10, 2025

Following his performance, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that Holden is going to move up the depth chart, and with good reason. Holden is a fiery competitor with an expressive demeanor and someone whose confidence grows with every big play he makes. As for how high up the depth chart Holden is moving up, we’ll see. For now, he appears to have an inside track to making a spot on the roster, and it could be his place to lose for the remainder of camp.

Zion Childress​

Although the defense didn’t have a productive night as a whole, Zion Childress managed to make plays and stand out from the crowd. Childress led the team with five solo tackles and made an excellent play to snuff the ball carrier on an end around to pick up a tackle for a loss. He disrupts passing lanes well and can play multiple different spots on the field. What’s important is that he is a willing tackler who can help in run support, but is versatile enough to play either slot cornerback or safety.

Currently, the Cowboys’ secondary is riddled with injuries, and another player went down as Robert Rochelle left the game with a hamstring injury. That leaves an open opportunity for Childress to see more playing time, and Dallas could give him a chance as the boundary cornerback with the team so thin at the position. His chances of making the roster may not be as strong as Holden’s, but he could lock his way onto the practice squad with repeat performances such as the one he had last night.

Malik Davis​

Malik Davis has had an interesting odyssey in the NFL since going undrafted in 2022. Davis has been a member of the Cowboys ever since, yet often bouncing back and forth between the active roster, free agency, and the practice squad. Now entering his fourth NFL season, Davis has less than 40 carry attempts under his belt, so he is very hungry to prove himself.

This offseason, Davis was waived by the team in the spring and re-signed to the roster just two days ago because of so many injuries at running back for the team. Yet, Davis was the team’s best offensive player against Los Angeles. He had fresh legs, he ran through contact, and demonstrated excellent vision once he got to the second level of the defense. He ran for 63 yards on only seven carries. His longest run was 16 yards, which speaks to how efficient he was on each of his touches.

As per usual for Davis, he has a big hill to climb in hopes of finding a spot on the roster. He very well could be destined for the practice squad again. However, his presence could make things very uncomfortable for Phil Mafah and Deuce Vaughn as we get closer to the roster cutdown.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...ys-los-angeles-rams-preseason-udfa-stars-game

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

NFL insider: ‘No deal in sight’ for Micah Parsons and Cowboys

The numbers to know are 10 and 24.

We are 10 days removed from Micah Parsons publicly requesting a trade from the Dallas Cowboys and 24 days away from the team beginning their 2025 campaign. As you are aware, that will take place on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles, a team who has mastered the front office operations of football as they raise their second Super Bowl banner.

Micah Parsons is the best player on the Cowboys and if he played for the aforementioned Eagles, he likely would have had a contract extension taken care of long ago. That is simply the way that Philadelphia operates.

The Cowboys operate very differently, though. Dallas believes that they are in the right at this moment in time for (gestures at the sky) reasons and appear ready to hold onto that as long as possible.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter spoke on this matter for the most recent time on Monday morning over on Get Up. Schefter noted that there is no deal in sight between the parties and openly pontificated on the ambiguity of it all.

“No deal in sight. If there’s no deal in sight… what’s going to happen? Is Micah going to play in the opener? We’ve already heard Jerry Jones wonder about whether Micah would be out there on opening day.”

“What would be the Cowboys’ plan here? Well, if obviously they can’t get a long-term deal done, and the two sides are not even talking about it right now, then they can always have Micah this year… if he plays. And they have the franchise tag after this year. They’d have the franchise tag the next year. They have his rights, essentially, for three years. At some point in time you have to wonder if they would look to trade him.”

“Now they’ve been very opposed to that idea publicly saying, we’re not interested in trading him. He’s not going to be dealt. But you can’t not sign the guy and then you can’t not trade him. It’s one or the other. Either you’re going to work on a long-term deal, which they haven’t done with him, or you’re going to have to explore other options. Which they haven’t yet, but there are people around the league who wonder if they’ll get to that point in time.”

“Clearly, status quo, the way it is right now is not going to hold up. And so I think both sides are disappointed with the other side, we’re waiting to see where this goes. And there’s no deal in sight right now.”

Much of Schefter’s thoughts here are of factual variety as well. He is openly questioning what the plan is here, something we do quite often around the BTB universe when it comes to this team.

Where Schefter has a point that is opinion-based is in him saying that it is sort of time to you-know-what or get off the pot. The idea of trading Parsons is preposterous in this author’s opinion, but if you really are that far apart on what you each deem to be is fair and worthy (particularly so if you won’t even talk about it), then why not begin the process of capitalizing on the situation? This is at its core our biggest criticism of the front office. No moves, ones we both agree and disagree with, are done in the name of proactivity and achieving the highest level of efficiency possible. They are always catch-up moves.

In the conversation on the ESPN panel, Dan Orlovsky suggested that the Cowboys may not want to pay Parsons. To be clear he was searching for answers amid this chaos and was wondering whether or not they simply do not see eye-to-eye on overall things and that this may be why we are where we are. When you are this deep down the rabbit hole you have to start playing by the relative rules of engagement.

Schefter interrupted him and summarized the chaos of the situation well.

“He issued his trade request roughly 10 days ago.”

“There has been nothing that has transpired on a new contract since then.”

“Nothing.”

Adam Schefter on Monday morning’s episode of get up

Think about that for a second. Whether the Cowboys had or have any interest in trading Parsons (or getting an extension done!) wouldn’t it make sense to, crazy idea here, do something in the aftermath of something as intense as a trade request? To do, I don’t know, literally anything?

The panel continued to discuss the matter and Mike Tannenbaum threw out (preposterously, in my opinion) that Brian Schottenheimer should issue a decree to Parsons that if he is not on the field working in the next 10 days that he is not going to play in the opener regardless. Again, that seems like a silly idea, but the point here is that it relates to the football operations of this entire thing. You know, the important part.

That is why people are so frustrated that this situation continues to fester. The football gets compromised a little bit more each and every day.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...-adam-schefter-no-deal-in-sight-trade-request

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s quote about NFC Championship makes some people lose their minds

It seemed fairly innocuous. As the Dallas Cowboys were readying to play the Los Angeles Rams in their preseason opener on Saturday, quarterback Dak Prescott was on the field with ownership from both teams. Word began to circulate that Dak told Stan Kroenke, the Rams owner, that the Cowboys would meet Los Angeles in the NFC Championship Game.

Dak Prescott shook hands with Rams owner Stan Kroenke, and then told him "We'll meet y'all in the NFC Championship." pic.twitter.com/KvDzpd0KAI

— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) August 10, 2025

This just seems like the way athletes talk. This is akin to telling someone to have a great summer on the last day of school or to saying Merry Christmas on a random December day. It is the thing that you say in the moment and in this moment there were two NFC teams chatting with the season’s full beginning just around the corner. Consider it another version of “good luck this year.”

Obviously things are never simple when it comes to the Cowboys, and the response to this comment has proven that. For the most part, there have been three different responses floating around:

1. “Let’s go Dak! This is the year!”
2. “I know some people are upset, but what else is he supposed to say? Dak has to be the leader. Even if he doesn’t believe this himself, he has to convey optimism, hope and positivity to those around him.”
3. “LOL THE COWBOYS ARE TERRIBLE CAN YOU BELIEVE HOW STUPID DAK IS FOR SAYING THIS?”

It’s hard to believe that anyone would feel any of these ways. Whether you are taking what Dak said positively or negatively, you are making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Dak will probably say the same thing to the Atlanta Falcons next week as they are another NFC team. He will probably tell the Baltimore Ravens that he hopes to see them in the Super Bowl when the Cowboys meet them a few days from now.

The Cowboys are the nuclear straw that stirs the drink and so it is low-hanging fruit for someone to take “Dak Prescott guarantees trip to NFC Championship Game” and run with it, but does anybody really think that’s what happened here? Are we really incapable of seeing that this was clearly just a casual comment from one NFC player to an NFC owner?

America’s Team. Or whatever.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...cowboys-dak-prescott-nfc-championship-comment

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Countdown to the season opener: Day 23 Deion Sanders

We’re counting down the days until the Dallas Cowboys battle the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener of the 2025 NFL season. To pass the time and mark the days, we are running through 100 Days of Cowboys. So sit back and enjoy some Cowboys history while we countdown to football.

Today – number 23

---

Deion Sanders

Born: August 9, 1967. Fort Myers, Florida
Position: Cornerback
Dallas Cowboys: 1995-1999
Awards: Super Bowl champion- XXIX, XXX
NFL Defensive Player of the Year- 1994
All-Pro- 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
Pro Bowl- 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
NFL kickoff return yards leader- 1992

Deion Sanders played cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1995 to 1999, bringing his unmatched speed, swagger, and playmaking ability to the team. Signed as a high-profile free agent, Sanders immediately elevated the Cowboys’ defense and special teams. In his first season with Dallas, he helped the team win Super Bowl XXX, making key plays in coverage and as a punt returner. During his time with the Cowboys, Sanders earned four Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro honors, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history.

Best known for:
Sanders was best known for being a solid cornerback but also as a dynamic return specialist, shutting down top receivers while electrifying fans with game-changing plays on special teams.

Lesser known fact:

While playing for the Cowboys, Sanders also lined up on offense as a wide receiver, recording receptions and even scoring a touchdown, showcasing his rare versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal.../countdown-season-opener-day-23-deion-sanders

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

DaRon Bland just showed how ridiculous the Cowboys are being with Micah Parsons

Today is August 12th. Micah Parsons remains a hold-in (although he has yet to use that specific verbiage) for the Dallas Cowboys. Here is a video of him leaving Tuesday’s practice after having not participated.

Micah Parsons leaving practice #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/JaBzr0GZ2l

— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) August 12, 2025

This contract situation has (like the many ones before it) gone on way too long for the Cowboys and for Parsons. It has become a distraction that is taking away from the team and their goal of finally delivering the ring to Mordor and ending the soon-to-be 30-year drought that hangs over the franchise.

Each and every time (because there are several instances) a contract situation becomes a thing for the Cowboys, they find a sticking point to use in their defense. At the moment Jerry Jones is leaning hard on a conversation that he and Parsons allegedly had where a deal/contract was allegedly worked out. Parsons has contested, even publicly within his trade request that is now almost two weeks old, that he felt those conversations were somewhat casual and that he will not be negotiating a deal without his agent, David Mulugheta, involved as a part of them.

Jerry Jones has acted pretty offended at the idea that Parsons’ agent needs to be a part of this process. Back in the offseason Jerry even claimed to not know Mulugheta’s name. It isn’t hyperbole to say that Mulugheta is the most powerful individual agent working within the National Football League. The move was silly at best from Jones.

Silly is sort of par for the course as evidenced by DaRon Bland. Like Parsons is at the moment, Bland is currently set to enter the final year of his current contract with the Cowboys. Bland was asked about his contractual status with the team following Tuesday’s practice and noted that there have been some conversations with his agent.

Cowboys CB DaRon Bland said there have been some talks with his agent. He said he’d like to get a new deal done before the season. “Hopefully.” pic.twitter.com/0jEI8WTFGT

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 12, 2025

The insinuation from Bland, he is not directly quoted as saying this, is that his agent is a part of the process. That makes sense given literally everything we know about the way these things go in the NFL. Even if Bland were to clarify and say that the Cowboys not spoken to his agent and that only he has, he is underscoring the normality of an agent’s inclusion in the process.

The Micah Parsons situation is already a circus caused by the Cowboys, but they continue to magnify the absurdity with claims like that the agent in question does not need to be affiliated with what they are doing. Whether or not they realize that, one of their own players just provided the latest counter-example.

As it relates to Bland, it would be wise of the Cowboys to get something done with him before the season begins. The future around Trevon Diggs is murky at best, and fellow veteran Kaiir Elam (who was acquired over the offseason in a trade with the Buffalo Bills) is also entering the final year of his current deal. At the moment the future of the cornerback room looks like Shavon Revel and Caelen Carson (barring any future moves, obviously) so adding some stability to it with Bland would be smart.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...ah-parsons-agent-cowboys-contract-daron-bland

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable football franchise in the world… again

Death, taxes and the Dallas Cowboys being the most valuable sports franchise in the world.

Here are the five most valuable football franchises, per Sportico’s annual NFL valuations that are being released today:

Cowboys – $12.8 billion
Rams – $10.43 billion
Giants – $10.25 billion
Patriots – $8.76 billion
49ers – $8.6 billion pic.twitter.com/cJVvoeKGEN

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2025

To be clear the evaluation you are looking at here involves football franchises specifically (another way of saying NFL teams). But the Cowboys have reigned supreme over all sports franchises when this type of exercise has been conducted across things beyond the NFL.

Forbes is the group that performs that exercise and this one was conducted by Sportico. As is noted in the report, in all six years that they have been doing it the Cowboys have come out on top. We are talking about a dynasty here, folks.

The conversation generally turns this direction when we talk about how valuable the Cowboys are, but it really is astonishing given their lack of on-field success for almost three decades now (in terms of the game’s ultimate prize). Markets clearly play a role in this as Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco are represented, but the Cowboys have truly mastered the art of making money.

You already knew that, though.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...4/most-valuable-football-franchise-world-2025

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys training camp: UDFA Zion Childress is making his move

As training camp winds down, the Dallas Cowboys prepare for their Saturday showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer discussed the value of assessing the offensive roster on the field during the preseason. The same could be said for the defensive side of the ball, as the Cowboys have several questions to answer before the season opener, which is a short three weeks away. The possible answer to one question is today’s undrafted star of the day.

Zion Childress has put together a nice showing at training camp over the summer. Childress possesses a varied skillset that affords him the versatility to play in multiple secondary positions. He can play the deep half as a safety; he can play as a boundary cornerback, and where the Cowboys need him is in the slot. Since losing Jourdan Lewis to free agency, Dallas has needed someone to occupy that role, and the Cowboys have tinkered with multiple options, such as Juanyeh Thomas and Israel Mukuamu. However, Childress has stood out in that capacity. It’s not hard to see why. Childress comes to the Cowboys with very good ball skills and is adept at disrupting passing lanes. A team captain for Kentucky, Childress has good leadership traits and is a good communicator on the field.

Cowboys UDFA Zion Childress really made his case for the 53-man roster pic.twitter.com/DYXLPP09yC

— Zac (@Zac_LeeDM) August 12, 2025

Zion Childress getting a lot of reps with the starters at nickel again. Two days in a row.

Here he knifes into the backfield to hit Deuce Vaughn. pic.twitter.com/Fw2QdPlG5w

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) August 13, 2025

This summer, Childress has been outstanding in run support, as evidenced by his game against the Rams. That success also carried over into Wednesday’s practice, where Childress made a terrific play in the backfield to stop Deuce Vaughn for a loss. Childress is making a case for a roster spot, and it may be hard for him to bring him back to the practice squad if the Cowboys subject him to waivers. He does so many things well, and his preparation often finds him at the right place at the right time. A strong showing against Baltimore could cement his spot on the team.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...ng-camp-udfa-zion-childress-roster-cornerback

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: Dallas may look for outside help at corner

Cowboys roster guru admits team could pursue outside help at CB – Randy Gurzi, Cowboys on SI​

The cornerback injury situation is a tough one.

While speaking with The Athletic’s Jon Machota, vice president of player personnel Will McClay was asked about the struggles at the position and what they could do to improve.

McClay said they’re counting on players to return, which would include Trevon Diggs and rookie Shavon Revel Jr. He also suggested they could look for outside help.

“We’re gonna evaluate what’s on our roster. We’re gonna evaluate what’s out there. We have guys coming (back), but we’re always trying to improve,” McClay said.

“We want to make that last corner on the practice squad better than what we had last year. So we’re going to comb through it. Guys are going to come back. Coaches are doing a great job. They understand the scheme. We’ve got to continue to try and improve that room, as well as all the rooms in our building. Every day, we got to make it better.”

If Diggs and Revel were both healthy, the Cowboys would feel good about their cornerback group. The problem is that neither is ready to go and Diggs has been battling knee injuries for two years now.

It feels like the prudent move will be finding someone who could start, like Stephon Gilmore. That doesn’t seem likely, however, since McClay’s comments suggested they’ll be looking for players who can fill out the bottom of the depth chart and practice squad.

Blue still recovering, Guyton makes progress – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com​

A review of the Cowboys injuries from camp.

Offensive line:​

Tyler Guyton – knee

Saahdiq Charles – knee (hyperextension)

As noted, Guyton continues to work his way back but, given the initial scare, the great news is he’s not only in good spirits, but he was seen slowly going through some offensive line movements with the training staff during his rehab assignments; and he looks to be progressing very well in his recovery. Charles suffered a hyperextended knee in the preseason matchup against the Rams, and it’s unknown if he’ll be given the green light to take the field against the Ravens in the Cowboys’ second preseason matchup.

Running back:​

Jaydon Blue – foot/ankle (bruise)

It was last week, in practice, when Blue’s ankle/foot suffered a bruise during a rep in team drills, and he initially wore a boot for a couple days. He’s since removed the boot, but has yet to return to practice this week, putting his availability against the Ravens in serious jeopardy. The Cowboys plan on testing his ankle in pregame at AT&T Stadium, and will make a decision from there, per Brian Schottenheimer on Thursday in Oxnard.

Tight end:​

Brevyn Spann-Ford – leg (undisclosed)

The initial prognosis for Spann-Ford to return was a couple weeks, per Schottenheimer, and that was roughly two weeks ago. The young, talented tight end has remained absent from the field since suffering his injury, and there’s little to no chance he plays against the Ravens, having not practiced in quite some time. He will be reevaluated in Dallas for a possible go against the Falcons on Aug. 22.

Cowboys might have legitimate backup plan to one of league’s most expensive positions – Reid Hanson, Cowboys Wire​

The Cowboys are hoping Nate Thomas can hold down the fort.

It might not be unfolding how most thought it would. It might not have been under the most ideal conditions, either. It’s definitely not the player everyone thought it would be, but the Dallas Cowboys might have finally found their Plan B to the all-important left tackle position.

Nate Thomas, the forgotten rookie from the 2024 NFL draft class, has seemingly come from nowhere and laid early claim to the backup LT spot. With Tyler Guyton possibly missing regular season action, the backup title probably means Week 1 starting offensive lineman.

Finding a capable Plan B at LT isn’t just about injury replacement on this Cowboysteam. Until proven otherwise it’s also an alternative solution should Plan A never come to fruition.

[…]

Early returns have been understandably mixed. Thomas struggled against the LA Rams’ all-star D-line in practices, but he posted a solid game against their rotational players in the first preseason game. It would be unrealistic to think he’d be a plug and play talent as a seventh rounder with no NFL experience to his name, so that itself constitutes a major victory. Not to mention, the preseason is far from over and there’s plenty of development that can happen between now and the start of the regular season.

Plan Bs are never ideal but they are often necessary. There are a number of scenarios that could involve Thomas playing a critical role for Dallas in both the short-term and long-term.

Cowboys insider warns promising young CB could be on roster bubble – Josh Sanchez, Cowboys SI​

The roster bubble is real.

There was plenty of hype for Caelen Carson when he was selected by the Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft after starring for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, but injuries have plagued his career.

After getting the start against the Cleveland Browns in Week One of his rookie season, Carson was limited to just six games due to a lingering shoulder injury and ultimately placed on injured reserve.

Carson underwent shoulder surgery and was hoping to shine during training camp, but he once again was bitten by the injury bug. In late July, Carson suffered a hyper-extended knee that will sideline him for four-to-six weeks.

Because of the injuries piling up, one Cowboys insider predicted Carson could shockingly find himself on the roster bubble.

Bryan Broaddus of 105.3 The Fan made the stunning comment that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if the Cowboys decided to move on from the 23-year-old defensive back.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...utside-help-cornerback-injuries-caelen-carson

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

5 players to watch in the Cowboys preseason game against the Ravens

The Dallas Cowboys play their second preseason game on Saturday when they host the Baltimore Ravens. The team will continue to evaluate players as they gradually construct their 53-man roster. With several unknowns sprinkled all over, there will be plenty of things to watch in this game. Here are five players to keep a close eye on when the Cowboys hit the field against the Ravens.

1. Joe Milton, QB​

All eyes are on the Cowboys’ new shiny new pass-throwing toy last Saturday after a Jekyll and Hyde performance last Saturday. The second-year quarterback was all over the place early, misfiring on all cylinders, but then settled down late in the third quarter. The team would love to see less of the ugly stuff and more of the latter. Milton appears to be the team’s ride-or-die backup with the “break glass if necessary” Will Grier as a last resort. Seeing him show a little more consistency would calm things for a bit, as well as provide better opportunities for bottom-roster wide receivers to fight for a spot on the team.

2. Tyler Booker, OG​

In what turned out to be a puzzling coaching decision, the Cowboys didn’t play their first-round draft pick last week. Zero reps for this completely raw rookie. What a head-scratcher. That won’t be the case this week as the Alabama guard will see his first game action at the NFL level. Booker is off to a timid start in camp, even having veteran Rob Jones overtake the first-team reps at right guard before he got hurt. Unfortunately, Jones suffered a broken bone in his neck during the team’s first padded practice and is now out for the season. The Cowboys still have some good interior line depth in Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass, and Saahdiq Charles, so Booker will still have to earn the starting job. A good showing on Saturday would be a positive step for him.

3. Perrion Winfrey, DT​

The Cowboys have issues at nose tackle as veteran Mazi Smith has not looked good, and rookie Jay Toia looks like, well, a rookie. Last week, Smith was slow out of the gate and wasn’t effective against the Rams’ offensive line. Toia showed a little more energy, but struggled to maintain leverage. He would get torqued around and pushed off to the side. Winfrey was the best of the group on Saturday. He was quick off the snap, struck fast, and used his length to keep blockers from getting any push against him. There were multiple times last week that Winfrey created pressure and was close to getting home. If this former UFL star can continue to make plays, could he sneak himself onto the 53-man roster?

KaVontae Turpin – New Jersey Generals
Brandon Aubrey – Birmingham Stallions
Perrion Winfrey – Birmingham Stallions

From USFL stars to NFL All-Pros, the Cowboys have a knack for finding gems from this pro football farm system. Can Perrion Winfrey keep their streak going? pic.twitter.com/iEeYq6wx9o

— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) August 14, 2025

4. Hakeem Adeniji, OT​

The coaching staff will have some tough decisions to make along the offensive line, as there are a handful of players on the fringe. This includes Asim Richards (fifth-round pick, 2023), Saahdiq Charles (free agent), and Ajani Cornelius (sixth-round rookie). All of them are in the mix for a final roster spot, as is 27-year-old free agent Hakeem Adeniji. Last week, he started at right tackle and held things down rather well. Another performance like that might secure his spot on the roster. Last week, we highlighted Richards and the team moved him around between left tackle and left guard. The team needs good depth along the offensive line, considering how banged up they have been in recent years. It could be a four-man race for the final two spots with Adeniji right in the thick of it.

5. Kemon Hall, CB​

Last week, we identified rookie undrafted free agent defensive back Zion Childress as someone to keep an eye on, and that should continue as he’s making a good push for a roster spot. The Cowboys’ cornerback room is a little tumultuous right now due to several injuries. The team needs viable, healthy bodies to hold things down until reinforcements arrive. As unimpressive as they are, both Andrew Booth and Kemon Hall might be the team’s best options at the moment. Booth offers length, despite showing a tendency to get beaten deep. Hall isn’t smothering, but he’s typically around the ball, keeping smaller plays from becoming bigger plays. Whether it’s Booth, Hall, or Childress, the team desperately needs one of their defensive backs to step up and add some depth to the roster.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...layers-to-watch-preseason-game-against-ravens

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Winners and losers after Cowboys leave Oxnard

The Dallas Cowboys are done in Oxnard. They are back home ahead of their preseason game this Saturday with the Ravens and then conclude training camp in Frisco. The annual excursion to California is a time-honored tradition, but the change of scenery at this midpoint (more or less) of training camp also offers a perfect time for players to evaluate how they’re doing. Here are the biggest winners and losers from Oxnard.

Winners​

Zion Childress

Perhaps the biggest winner of training camp so far has been Zion Childress, the undrafted rookie out of Kentucky who primarily played safety in college. He’s been getting work at cornerback in camp, both on the outside and in the slot, and has routinely turned heads.

In the last two weeks, Childress was doing so well that he began to get frequent reps with the first team. The caveat here is that Childress likely wouldn’t be seeing those reps if Trevon Diggs or Shavon Revel (or even Caelen Carson) were healthy, but nonetheless, Childress has done nothing but run with the opportunity he’s been given. His performance against the Rams was especially good.

Zion Childress (nickel) wasn’t targeted much for a reason. #superglue pic.twitter.com/4l2kxofvIC

— Mauricio Rodríguez (@MauNFL) August 11, 2025

As the Cowboys head home, Childress has done as much as he possibly could at this point to lock up a roster spot. Not only that, but he may even be on the field to start the regular season in Philadelphia.

Traeshon Holden

Another undrafted free agent who’s well on his way to making the roster, Traeshon Holden was a bit of a surprise to fall out of the draft. The former Oregon receiver signed with Dallas not long after, reuniting with his college position coach, Junior Adams. That familiarity has seemingly paid off.

Holden, who stands at 6’2”, has made several big plays throughout camp and consistently stood out among some of the other receivers competing for a roster spot.

Traeshon Holden pic.twitter.com/59U6MbUYxD

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 30, 2025

The Cowboys don’t have a ton of open spots at wide receiver right now, but Holden is making a pretty convincing argument to be included. He led the team in receiving against the Rams with just two catches. If he keeps it up, Holden can cement his status.

George Pickens

When the Cowboys first traded for George Pickens, the general consensus around the league was that he had all the talent but it was unclear if the former Steelers receiver had the focus or drive to consistently play up to his talent level. The hope in Dallas was that Pickens would have a more stable locker room, led by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, to keep him centered.

We’re obviously still very early in the year, but all signs from Oxnard point to a resounding yes. Pickens has quickly picked up the offense, and his chemistry with Prescott came on strong in the final two weeks. Pickens has created multiple highlight clips leaping over defensive backs to pull down 50/50 balls.

He’s also built a strong bond with Lamb, who could also be listed as a winner here. The two appear to be in sync, and that is more than the Cowboys ever could’ve asked for. If this lasts, the Cowboys will have one of the most potent wide receiver duos in the league.

Marist Liufau

The Cowboys acquired Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray in the offseason, with both seeming likely to start at linebacker until DeMarvion Overshown is able to reach full health. One (Sanborn) is a Matt Eberflus disciple while the other (Murray) is a former first-round pick with crazy athleticism.

Yet the linebacker who’s arguably showed up the most thus far is second-year pro Marist Liufau. The former Notre Dame thumper came on strong last year after Overshown’s tragic injury, and he seems to have gotten even better. He also finished the Rams game with the third-highest defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, and the highest of any linebacker.

Granted, Sanborn and Murray didn’t play in that game, but Liufau showed more than enough to suggest he should be just as much in the mix as those two. Eberflus has a background as a linebacker coach himself, and that seems to have helped Liufau reach a new level.

Kaiir Elam

Another former first-round pick on another team who found his way to Dallas this offseason is Kaiir Elam. The former Florida cornerback struggled to live up to expectations in Buffalo, and he’ll play the final year of his rookie deal with the Cowboys. After what we’ve seen in Oxnard, Elam will do so as a starter, too.

Coming into training camp, Elam had been turning heads already, but with so many injuries at cornerback he had ample reps with the first team. Day after day, Elam stacked highlight plays and quickly cemented himself as the most impressive defensive back in Oxnard, even ahead of DaRon Bland.

That’s huge for the Cowboys, too, given the increased likelihood that both Diggs and Revel will not be on the field in Week 1. Elam’s emergence has guaranteed the team will have at least two reliable corners on hand, if not more.

Losers​

Joe Milton

Anticipation was high for Joe Milton, and rightfully so. The former Tennessee star looked very impressive in his Week 18 start for the Patriots last year, leading an upset win over the Bills, and Brian Schottenheimer planned on giving Milton plenty of reps in the preseason games.

However, it’s become clear that Milton is still very much the developmental player he was regarded as in the draft last year. Nobody is questioning his arm strength, but Milton still has issues with touch and accuracy. Furthermore, he was shown up by Will Grier in that same game. The book isn’t closed on Milton’s QB2 campaign, but he has work to do going forward.

Mazi Smith

It almost feels unfair to rag on Mazi Smith here. For the third time in as many years in Dallas, Smith has been asked to drastically alter his body. Once again, he’s had to cut down his weight to be closer to 300 pounds, and once again he’s being asked to play a variety of roles on the defensive interior.

It didn’t go well for Smith in his rookie year, and so far it doesn’t appear to be going well this time around either. Smith was routinely pushed around in the Rams game, which has unfortunately become a common sight in practices as well. Of course, losing 30 pounds or so will do that. Either way, though, Smith isn’t having the camp he needed to.

Trevon Diggs

The bad news for Trevon Diggs started when the Cowboys decided to dock him $500,000 for not working out in Dallas this offseason. Then, in the opening press conference in Oxnard, Jerry Jones all but said they did so because they feared Diggs wasn’t taking his rehab seriously, and also seemed to admit regret over extending Diggs when he did.

As if to hammer home that point, Diggs has not been able to get on the practice field to this point. After some short-lived optimism in the summer that Diggs would be ready to go by Week 1, it now seems like a near-lock that he’ll miss at least the first couple of games. Combine that with the ascension of Kaiir Elam, Zion Childress, and even Israel Mukuamu, and it’s hard to feel like things have gone well for the former interception king.

Jalen Brooks

The Cowboys seem to know their top four wideouts already – Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin will split that third receiver role alongside the two stars – which leaves one or two roster spots left for six guys to fight over. The one who’s stood out the most is Traeshon Holden, but other guys – like Jonathan Mingo, Josh Kelly, and Ryan Flournoy – have had their moments.

One name that’s been eerily quiet, though, is Jalen Brooks. A bigger receiver, Brooks had carved out a role on special teams and as a reliable run blocker on offense in the last two years. However, he’s struggled to stand out from the crowd in Oxnard, and in the Rams game he managed just two receptions for 26 yards. He’ll need to show more than that to remain on the roster.

Luke Schoonmaker

Fan support for Luke Schoonmaker has never been particularly high, but it’s waned even more this summer. The surprise extension of Jake Ferguson all but guaranteed Schoonmaker will never be more than TE2 in Dallas, and on top of it all, he appeared to have been passed by Brevyn Spann-Ford before the latter suffered an injury early in camp.

Schoonmaker is entering his third year in the league, but he’s yet to flash the talent that made him the 58th overall pick. He didn’t do much to change that against the Rams, either. Even if his upward mobility on the depth chart is limited, Schoonmaker needs to show more than what he has been showing thus far in Oxnard.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...nners-losers-after-leave-oxnard-training-camp