2025 Dallas Cowboys Offseason Tracker

dbair1967

dbair1967

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Another contract extension and immediate injury deal.

At some point people have to face the facts that Jerry is absolutely a fucking curse to this franchise. With the exception of the 95 super bowl, literally nothing has gone right since and the team is year over year devastated by injuries to key players.

 
dbair1967

dbair1967

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The Cowboys we’re watching in preseason opener: QB Joe Milton tops the list​

Jon Machota
Aug. 8, 2025 6:01 am EDT​



OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Joe Milton got off to a strong start in Tuesday’s practice with the Los Angeles Rams. He was confident, decisive and accurate. But shortly after making the play of the day on a deep ball completion to Jalen Brooks, Milton injured the thumb on his throwing hand while hitting a Rams defensive lineman’s helmet on his follow-through.
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Milton didn’t look bothered by the injury Thursday as he was a full participant in practice. He’s expected to play in Dallas’ first preseason game Saturday against the Rams at SoFi Stadium. With franchise QB Dak Prescott not expected to play, Milton should see the majority, if not all, of the first-half snaps.


“He’s great fundamentally, his feet are getting better every day as well, but his biggest jump (has been) taking every practice rep like it’s a game, like he could really get hit,” Cowboys QB coach Steve Shimko said of Milton on Wednesday. “That ball’s coming out, he’s finding completions, he’s really running the offense. Instead of just trying to show off his arm, which we all know he has one of the best arms in the world, he’s now playing quarterback. And he’s doing a phenomenal job with that. And being really good at communicating as well. Some of the things he’s not seeing, coming to me, coming to (head coach Brian Schottenheimer), even Dak, who has been awesome with him.”
The arm strength is obvious. Milton says he has thrown a football 90 yards during a practice in college. The next step is just being consistent in running the Cowboys’ offense. That wasn’t a problem when he played the majority of the New England Patriots’ Week 18 game last season. His strong showing there was a factor in Dallas trading for him in April.
“Physically, the ceiling is very high for him,” Shimko said. “He’s learning how to play. He’s gonna get a bunch of reps. Playing quarterback is about taking reps. He’s gonna get a bunch of reps in the preseason. He’s just gonna continue to grow mentally. The work ethic and the time he puts into this is second to none. He really is a student of the game. He’s awesome as far as knowing his technique and fundamentals, and he’s learning all the other little (things) about playing the position.”


It’ll be interesting to see how much Milton uses his feet against the Rams. In practice settings, the quarterbacks aren’t allowed to be hit. When things haven’t been there down the field, Milton has looked comfortable tucking the ball and running. How will that look when the defenders are allowed to hit him?

“He sees the big picture of the game,” Shimko said. “He’s very good. Seeing new pictures, unscouted looks, that’s where he’s going to keep getting better. A guy like Dak, there’s really no unscouted looks; he’s kind of seen everything that a defense can do. With Joe, it’s just a matter of reps and seeing those different things. It’s only his second year, but his knowledge and his growth has been amazing. I’m talking to those guys from New England last year to the point where he is now, you can see the work (put) into it and just his IQ in general is very, very high. …
“Some of the things he hasn’t seen before, so he’s a little late reacting, but the next time he sees it, he’s on it, he’s money.”


Milton tops the list of Cowboys players to watch Saturday. Here are some others.

Tyler Booker​

The rookie right guard didn’t seem pleased with his practice against the Rams. The entire offensive line struggled to get anything going in the run game. Facing a 3-4 NFL defense for the first time probably caused some issues. Expectations are high for the first-round pick. Dallas needs him to play well immediately. How will he handle real game reps against a quality defensive line?

Nate Thomas​

He’s been playing with the first team at left tackle while Tyler Guyton works his way back from a knee injury. Thomas was thrown to the wolves Tuesday, facing talented Rams pass rusher Jared Verse. There’s uncertainty about whether Guyton will be ready for the season opener. If he’s not, Thomas is expected to remain in that spot. He needs as much work as he can get in these preseason games to get ready for the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
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Donovan Ezeiruaku​

He has flashed throughout training camp. It’s easy to see why Dallas thought he was a bargain in the second round. In practice, he has to just run by the quarterback. On Saturday, he’ll finally be able to hit the passer. Micah Parsons, Dante Fowler, Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland give the Cowboys a deep pass-rushing group. But Ezeiruaku looks like a player who will be difficult to keep on the sideline.


Traeshon Holden​

Jaydon Blue would have been the top offensive skill player listed here, but he suffered an ankle injury in Thursday’s practice that could keep him out Saturday. Holden has been easy to find in most camp practices. He’s been making the routine plays while also snagging several highlight grabs. The wide receiver group seems pretty set at the top with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin and Jonathan Mingo, but Holden has been in the argument for next-best on the roster. Can he do enough in the preseason to make the 53-man roster?
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Phil Mafah​

He didn’t really stand out in organized team activities, minicamp or early in training camp. But when the pads came on, it was a different story. His physical running style could be a great complement to the rest of Dallas’ running back room. Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Blue and Hunter Luepke are higher on the RB depth chart, but these preseason games might be where Mafah best shows his value.


Cornerbacks​

It’s the biggest question mark position on the roster. It’s still unclear when Trevon Diggs or Shavon Revel will be able to return from their knee injuries. Outside of DaRon Bland and Kaiir Elam, everything else is up in the air at the position. Corners like Andrew Booth, Troy Pride, Zion Childress, Kemon Hall and Robert Rochell could have an opportunity to get meaningful snaps this season. But if none of them take advantage in the preseason, the Cowboys could be forced to make a move (trade or signing) before Week 1.

Defensive tackles​

Jay Toia is the top youngster to watch from this group Saturday. Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas are the top two at the position. Mazi Smith is expected to continue to see a lot of work. But who else steps up? It could be rookies like Toia or Tommy Akingbesote or veteran Perrion Winfrey. But this is the No. 2 spot on the roster where another move could still be in the works.
 
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