Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season. Presented by Blockchain.com
10:11 a.m. – Jabril Cox is getting close to a return to practice. The former fourth-round pick is currently rehabbing from what's been described by head coach Mike McCarthy as a "ding" to his knee, sidelining him the last several practices. But after participating in the team's mock game on Friday, a format similar to a walkthrough, Cox is set to be worked out ahead of padded practice on Saturday to determine if he'll take the field.
The team is taking a very deliberate approach to easing Cox back into the mix, seeing as he's returning from a torn ACL suffered in 2021 and while the current knee issue is unrelated to that injury, the expectation is for Cox to be a key player in the Cowboys defense in 2022 and, as such, they don't want to force the issue early with him – seeing as there are still several weeks of camp remaining.
10:15 a.m. – The team is running a bit thin at tight end as the first week of padded practice concludes, with both Jeremy Sprinkle and Jake Ferguson nursing injury that – like Cox – has held them out of several practices. Currently recovering from an inflamed Achilles and hamstring tweak, respectively, the veteran and the rookie fourth-round pick were off to the side during the team's Friday walkthrough, working on resistance bands with the training staff.
Both were moving well, and McCarthy notes they've progressed "quicker" than the team had anticipated they would, giving them a chance at returning to practice next week ahead of the trip to Denver to practice with and then take on the Broncos in their first preseason game. In their absence, there has been no shortage of opportunity for Sean McKeon, Peyton Hendershot and Ian Bunting to step in and impress.
3:11 p.m. – First-round draft pick Tyler Smith is still settling in at left guard – a position he hasn't played since high school – but his natural ability is obvious early in training camp.
"His quickness has jumped off the tape," offensive line coach Joe Philbin said. "He's a very quick guy. He's got that quick-twitch explosiveness. We've definitely seen a lot of that. And I think we'll see more as time goes on."
Smith's strength, particularly as a run blocker, was one of his best assets heading into the draft. Combine that with good movement skills for a 325-pound lineman, and the Cowboys clearly feel good about Smith's potential.
"He's come a long way in a short period of time," Joe Philbin said. "… He was well-coached (in college) – they had a good program at Tulsa – but we're certainly asking him to do some things that he's not as familiar with and he's learning every single day.
"All these opportunities that he gets out here – and our defense does a great job presenting a lot of multiple looks and different pressures, twists. Our guys do a great job of that. So all those things. A lot of times it's the first time he's seen them. I think once we get through this install phase in another day or two I think then he'll really start to settle in a little bit more and can focus more on the fundamentals. The game is fast right now for all these young guys, but he's definitely making strides."
8:12 a.m. - Trust is obviously a big thing for quarterbacks when it comes to his receivers. Usually, that comes with plenty of reps. But so far, Dennis Houston has earned the trust of Dak Prescott, who has been overly impressed by the undrafted rookie.
"When you break the huddle, he's lining up in the right spot, no matter what position he's in. He's where I expect him to be on each and every play," Prescott said. "He's just a tough guy - very resilient. I might say, 'hey, did the DB hold you right there' and he's like 'ahh, I've got to make the play.' When you that response from a young guy like that, not making excuses and trying to help the team in any way that he can, it makes you excited."
Houston is one of several young players getting more reps now with a few injuries to the veteran receivers. At times, he finds himself working with the first-team. On Thursday, there were several plays in which he faced the other No. 3 - veteran Anthony Brown - and even caught a few passes to move the chains.
10:37 a.m. - The tight end room will continue to be thin to end the week, with both Jeremy Sprinkle and Jake Ferguson joining linebacker Jabril Cox in being held out of practice. But, unlike Cox, it appears both the veteran and rookie fourth-round pick may be out a bit longer - Mike McCarthy noting an expectation of neither suiting up to end the first week of padded practice. Sprinkle and Ferguson are nursing an Achilles issue (inflammation) and hamstring tweak, respectively, which puts an eye on possibly returning next week, but that is still to-be-determined.
Ferguson, a newcomer expected to challenge for the role of TE2 in camp, will now see his (and Sprinkle's) reps handed over to Sean McKeon, Peyton Hendershot and Ian Bunting. McKeon has the inside track to landing the seat directly behind Dalton Schultz, but Hendershot (a rookie himself) has made noticeable progress in camp and the added reps will give him a chance to show what he can do. The same goes for Bunting, a young player who desperately wants to find a way onto the final roster at the end of August.
10:08 a.m. - Jabril Cox is being managed with great caution in his return from a season-ending torn ACL suffered in 2021. The former fourth-round pick said he's "ready to go" physically, at the outset of training camp, but he's currently being eased back into practice after "dinging" his knee earlier this week - per head coach Mike McCarthy. Cox was absent from the team's second padded practice that took place on Tuesday, and will again be held out when the third padded practice gets underway on Thursday.
McCarthy stated Cox is "doing good" and is scheduled to return to the field on Saturday, with Friday essentially mirroring the format from Wednesday, when the Cowboys treated their mock game as more of a walkthrough. The second-year linebacker will be expected to make a big impact for the club in 2022, despite the addition of four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Anthony Barr, the latter having agreed to terms on a one-year deal but who is also still working his way through the signing process before he can suit up for practice.
10:32 a.m. – Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that the Cowboys will only have three running backs available for practice Thursday (Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard and rookie Malik Davis) because Rico Dowdle and rookie Aaron Shampklin (COVID-19) are currently unable to practice.
In May, the NFL and NFLPA lifted its COVID protocols for players and staff, but a player with a positive test still must isolate for five days minimum.
"It's definitely something that we're conscious of and have a plan on how to deal with it. I give a lot of credit to (head athletic trainer) Jim (Maurer)," McCarthy said.
12:38 p.m. - There are questions a'plenty on if Tony Pollard will see more reps as a receiver following the injury to James Washington, and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore dangled a rather sizable carrot on that front on Wednesday. Moore stated the intention going forward is to expand Pollard's reps beyond "the running back route tree" and went so far as to point at Pollard's ability to challenge opposing defenses "vertically", both landing as strong hints at what might be to come for the fourth-year halfback.
Time will tell if this all comes to fruition, however, because it's currently early August and the young corps of receivers will be given the bulk of the receiving reps as a means of determining how the regular season depth chart should shake out and/or if the Cowboys need to dip back into free agency to add another veteran at the position. But, at least for now, there are hopes of scheming Pollard in space far more often in what will be his contract year with the club.
12:24 p.m. - Markquese Bell continues to be a name to watch in training camp, and probably more so going forward, as defensive coordinator Dan Quinn not only praised the "hungry" undrafted safety but went as far as stating the team's intention of potentially playing him in a hybrid role. That might involve Bell moving fluently between the safety and linebacker position - similar to re-signed veteran safety Jayron Kearse - to ensure Bell's skill set is being fully utilized as early as Year 1 in Dallas.
This makes the signing of four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Anthony Barr that much more interesting, considering Barr is expected to garner a hefty amount of playing time in tandem with Micah Parsons and Jabril Cox, and that means the more clear way to look at Bell would be in the specific lane of Kearse: a tight end stopper who can spell the veteran as needed.
9:45 a.m. - Rookie linebacker Aaron Hansford was released on Wednesday, just after he passed a physical to get off the PUP list. Hansford opened practice injured and spent the first week rehabbing.
Despite being healthy, the Cowboys have decided to part ways with Hansford, which opens up a spot on the 90-man roster.
Hansford was a rookie free agent from Texas A&M. The Cowboys still have two other rookie linebackers in sixth-round pick Devin Harper and undrafted free agent Storey Jackson.
1:57 p.m.- Jabril Cox was absent on Tuesday with what head coach Mike McCarthy described as a "dinged knee", but McCarthy emphasized it's "nothing serious" and that the team decided to take a precautionary approach on Cox ahead of the second padded practice. The former fourth-round pick is slated to return on Thursday, following the mock game on Wednesday, to allow an added day of rest. Cox is returning from a torn ACL that ended his rookie season in 2021 but did not begin training camp on the team's physically unable to perform (PUP) list - then noting himself that he is "ready to go" for 2022.
He'll be looked upon heavily to make an impact this coming season as the definitive complement at linebacker to Micah Parsons, and has the skill set to be just that for the Cowboys. His health will be paramount in seeing that come to fruition, however, and both he and club fully understand that point.
1:52 p.m. - Mike McCarthy echoed the sentiment of owner Jerry Jones in that the Cowboys are digging into their analysis of the young receiving corps going forward, as opposed to seeking assistance in NFL free agency - following the loss of wideout James Washington for upwards of 10 weeks due to a Jones fracture suffered in Monday's practice. While Jones stated there is no sense of urgency "at all" to sign a veteran replacement, McCarthy agreed that is "not my focus", and the two are in lockstep on "seeing the young guys improve" over the remainder of training camp.
That said, McCarthy did put a bit of a proverbial pin in the discussion, also noting that any type of potential player acquisition is currently "to be determined". That, at minimum, leaves the door open for the possibility of adding a free agent receiver down the road, in the event the development of the group of young upstarts behind CeeDee Lamb doesn't go according to plan.
12:58 p.m. - Not long after James Washington left the field on a cart, the Cowboys got another scare when Jayron Kearse walked off the field and into the locker room momentarily. A big ovation came from the fans when Kearse ran back onto field and continued practice.
Kearse said he stepped awkwardly during a drill and tweaked his knee but was never overly concerned. "I tried to plant but my foot was too wide," Kearse said. "Maybe (it would be scary) for everyone else. But for me, I knew what it was. I didn't hear anything. I knew it wasn't a big deal."
Kearse is in his second season with the Cowboys, flourishing in a hybrid role that has him playing both safety and linebacker.
12:05 p.m. — Wide receiver James Washington exited practice on a medical cart after appearing to injure his foot during Monday's practice.
Washington was competing against cornerback Trevon Diggs on a jump ball play and came up limping. He tried to put pressure on his foot but the team brought out the cart.
The severity of Washington's injury is unknown. Check back for more updates after practice.
10:37 a.m. – First-round draft pick Tyler Smith worked as a "left-side player" in the spring, working at both guard and tackle, but he has exclusively practiced at left guard so far in training camp.
Head coach Mike McCarthy says the team will continue to let Smith focus on guard, where he's competing with Connor McGovern on the left side.
"We really had that talk after the spring. I probably played him too much at tackle than guard," McCarthy said. "You've got to watch and don't overreact to spring football too because those guys are at a bit of a disadvantage, plus it's new, the pace is new. That could equate to some football where he's a tad late, a half-step off.
"I think if we can keep him in one spot and let him get comfortable there, I think then his flexibility will definitely benefit from having a good foundation."
10:30 a.m. – Expect to see a lot more kicking in practice this week. Every practice, in fact.
Rookie Jonathan Garibay and Lirim Hajrullahu kicked for the first time in practice Saturday, with Garibay making 4 of 8 field goals and Hajrullahu making 7 of 8.
With the kicker job wide open, head coach Mike McCarthy wants more evaluation time for both candidates.
"I was their first time in front of a crowd but also with the protection and the rush behind them. It's not what they were looking for. I think the thing that I walked away from practice is we need to do more of it. ... We've got to make sure we give those guys more opportunities."
3:46 p.m. - Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones continues the train of high marks for second-round pick Sam Williams. The rookie defensive end has already garnered high marks from players like All-Pro pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence, who stated Williams has "more tools" in his toolbox than he's currently aware of and, importantly, Lawrence believes Williams can be a Day 1 contributor.
For his part, Jones echoes the sentiment, noting how Williams "has jumped out" in both minicamp and the start of training camp -- something that bodes well for the possibility of Williams continuing to progress en route to potentially being awarded hefty playing time in his first year with the club.
3:45 p.m. - If you haven't seen Markquese Bell play just yet, you likely will soon. The undrafted rookie from Florida A&M is already making waves in the defensive back group, and Stephen Jones stated the rookie "keeps showing up" in team drills and in his preparation.
Additionally, Jones gave a bit of an early nod to Bell, whom he said has "a good shot at making the roster" in September, adding that "it's good to have one of those" every summer.
Bell should get plenty of works in the preseason, which begins on Aug. 13 in Denver.
10:41 a.m. - Do not expect to see quarterback Dak Prescott in the first two preseason outings against the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers, respectively, with head coach Mike McCarthy unofficially putting that idea to bed.
When asked if he's going to play in those games, McCarthy had a long pause before pointing out "Dak will practice a lot" against the Broncos and Chargers.
McCarthy did leave open the possibility of starting Prescott in the preseason finale -- when the Seattle Seahawks visit AT&T Stadium.
10:31 a.m. - Head coach Mike McCarthy describes former fourth-round pick Jabril Cox as "bright, smooth, quicker and faster than you think", going on to note what they saw in Cox during limited time as a rookie -- prior to suffering a torn ACL -- was also a driving force in the decision to release Jaylon Smith.
Although Cox was not placed on the PUP list because of the injury, McCarthy has also said they will be smart with Cox and his practice schedule.
10:28 a.m. - The team feels "much better" about where they are at the safety position as compared to this time last year, per head coach Mike McCarthy, who made a note to shower praise upon former Florida A&M standout Markquese Bell -- a UDFA signing in 2022 -- who is off to an impressive start that includes what he showed in minicamp.
Bell has been working with the No. 2 defense at safety, but has the ability to play both free and strong safety. That versatility is one of the reasons the Cowboys were so excited to sign him after the draft.
10:25 a.m. - Wearing the No. 1 jersey, Kevin Joseph is having a good camp in what might be a season wherein the Cowboys expect him to be much more of an impact player, with head coach Mike McCarthy "looking for him to make the [second-year] jump" after showing flashes of his ability when looked upon as a rookie in 2021.
The second-round pick from Kentucky in 2021, Joseph had just two starts last year but will be battling for playing time with the regular starters at corner, including Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis.
8 a.m. – After choosing not to participate in last week's final set of voluntary OTAs, tight end Dalton Schultz is expected to return for this week's mandatory minicamp, which starts with practice Tuesday.
Schultz, currently on the one-year, $10.9 million franchise tag, is seeking a multi-year contract with the Cowboys. Both sides have until July 15 to negotiate a new deal or Schultz must play the season on the tag.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said last week that he understood Schultz's absence was simply a "business" decision, but wasn't sure if he'd be back for practice this week.
Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season and offseason.
Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season and offseason.
Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season and offseason.
Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season and offseason.
Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season and offseason.
Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season and offseason.
Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season and offseason.
Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season and offseason.
Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season and offseason.
Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season and offseason.
Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season and offseason.
©2021 Dallas Cowboys. All rights reserved. Do not duplicate in any form without permission of the Dallas Cowboys.