The Cowboys closed training camp Wednesday night at the Ford Center, the second and final open practice at The Star, then pointed toward Friday's preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer told DallasCowboys.com he was pleased with how the Oxnard stretch went and how the roster looks next to a year ago.
"I'm very pleased with the way the Oxnard portion of training camp went," Schottenheimer said. "I think it was a physical camp, which we wanted. We're still in training camp mode, so it's not over yet. I thought we've shed some light on some really good position battles… if you take our roster from last year and you laid it down next to our roster from this year, there's no question that the depth and the overall talent is higher."
What stood out in pads
DallasCowboys.com's Practice Points and Sports Illustrated both put CeeDee Lamb at the center of the session after he had said earlier that this was not his best camp. Practice Points had Lamb winning a slant with Cobie Durant on him, then tipping a ball to himself for a catch against DaRon Bland in the back of the end zone. SI described two Lamb touchdowns from Dak Prescott in red-zone work, including a one-handed grab after he beat Bland, and a contested score by George Pickens against Durant in the corner.
On defense, Jaishawn Barham and Shavon Revel Jr. opened team drills with the first unit, Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris reported and SI confirmed. SI wrote that Barham, lined up with DeMarvion Overshown, came free on a blitz and forced Prescott to throw the ball away. Jalen Thompson broke up two passes in a short span, one on Jake Ferguson and one on Lamb, per Practice Points and SI. Rashan Gary closed his first camp with the club with multiple pressures and at least one would-be sack, Patrik Walker wrote for DallasCowboys.com. Rookie corner Devin Moore broke up a deep ball in the end zone before a loud crowd reaction, Walker added.
Prescott mixed in sidearm throws and still found Ryan Flournoy past Caleb Downs in the slot, Nick Eatman wrote. Dee Winters worked as the nickel linebacker and added breakups in coverage. Alumni on the sideline included Tyron Smith, Daryl Johnston, Bradie James and former coach Dave Campo.
SI also tracked the backup quarterback race. Sam Howell missed a deep crosser to Jonathan Mingo and struggled on fades; Joe Milton had a screen blown up by Sam Williams, then rolled left for a long catch-and-run score to Anthony Smith. SI wrote that neither separated enough to settle the job before Friday.
Next on the calendar
Kickoff against the Saints is Friday at 7 p.m. CT at AT&T Stadium, per NewOrleansSaints.com and the club schedule. NFL clubs must reduce to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30, according to the league's published important dates. The regular-season opener is Sept. 13 at the New York Giants.
