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By Jon Machota
Aug. 19, 2026 Updated 11:57 am CDT
OXNARD, Calif. — The Dallas Cowboys basically don’t play starters in the preseason. In Dallas’ preseason opener last weekend in Seattle, the only potential Week 1 starters who saw any playing time were defensive backs Caleb Downs and Shavon Revel. They combined for 13 snaps.
The Cowboys prefer their top players get their preseason work in their joint practices. That worked out well last week in their practice with the Los Angeles Rams. Not so much Tuesday with the New Orleans Saints.
About eight fights broke out throughout the two-hour session, significantly impacting the ability of either team to get in as much quality work as expected. At one point, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer and Saints coach Kellen Moore discussed ending the practice early.
“A little chippy,” a visibly frustrated Schottenheimer said. “Not the way we like to do business. We got to be better, but I got to look at the film. We’re certainly not going to take s— from anybody. It was chippy on both sides. I want our guys to play on the edge without going over the edge. One guy sounds like he might have thrown a punch and that’s why he left practice.”
That player was outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku, who was kicked out of practice two weeks ago for throwing a punch. Schottenheimer huddled the team up for a longer than usual postgame discussion because of the fights. Both teams then got along just fine after practice with several players from each team spending time together.
“Our football team needs this work,” Schottenheimer said. “Overall, I was disappointed in the work today because I don’t think we got enough good work. There were too many bodies on the ground. It just felt sloppy to me.
“There’s a discipline element to playing this football game. Unfortunately, we didn’t handle that very well today. But I don’t think we were the only culprits.”
• George Pickens continues to have a strong camp. He was the Cowboys’ best offensive player in their practice with the Rams and it appeared to be the same on Tuesday. Catching passes across the middle or hauling in deep balls, Pickens looks ready for a big season.
• Dak Prescott had a good day, but he threw one interception. It was difficult to tell if it was a bad throw or miscommunication between Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, who was coming across the field when the ball went over his head and into the hands of Saints safety Julian Blackmon.
• Second-year running back Jaydon Blue did not practice because of shoulder soreness from the preseason opener.
• Saints All-Pro wide receiver Chris Olave looked to be New Orleans’ top performer. Downs got several reps against him, allowing a touchdown in red zone work but appearing to break up a pass along the sideline that was initially ruled a reception. Downs continues to play well in a variety of areas, including coming up to stop the run.
• Safety Jalen Thompson had one of the defense’s biggest plays, intercepting New Orleans starting quarterback Tyler Shough in the end zone. “Kind of just in the post and reading the QB’s eyes,” said Thompson, Dallas’ biggest free-agency addition. “He made kind of a bad throw right there and I ended up coming down with it.” Thompson acknowledged that confusing the quarterback, like the defense appeared to do on that play, is a big part of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme. Cornerback Reddy Steward also had an interception in team drills.
• The biggest position of concern on offense entering camp was left tackle. But Tyler Guyton has held up well, particularly in the two joint practices. The bigger concern lately has been right tackle Terence Steele. “(Steele) has to play a little bit more consistent,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s had a couple days where he’s been a little bit dropping his pads and getting edged a little bit. He needs to be better.”
• Cowboys starters to record sacks included Rashan Gary with two and Kenny Clark and Malachi Lawrence with one each.
• Backup QB Joe Milton has been playing well, building off his strong showing in the preseason game. Not only has Milton looked accurate on intermediate and deep throws but he’s not putting the ball in areas where it could be intercepted. There’s a good chance that he will start and play the entire first half against the Cardinals on Saturday.
• All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey was 6-for-6 on his field goal attempts with the longest coming from 41 yards.
• Wide receiver Ryan Flournoy continues to build on what he did last season. It’s clear that Prescott has a lot of trust in him. His best play Tuesday was a catch in the back of the end zone in red zone work where he not only made the leaping grab but quickly got both feet in bounds. The Cowboys have themselves an excellent No. 3 wide receiver.
• It’s interesting to see that the Cowboys have been doing more shovel passes to tight end Jake Ferguson coming in motion in short yardage and red zone situations.
• The newest Cowboy, Von Miller, was in uniform but not full pads. He worked off to the side doing individual drills throughout practice. Miller was wearing No. 40, which belongs to fullback Hunter Luepke. Miller is negotiating. He’s not interested in 58, saying that’s a “Denver thing.” He also doesn’t want to wear No. 94 because he believes it belongs to his good friend and Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware.
“Hunter, we already started off on a great foot,” Miller said. “I’m a team guy. Whatever it takes to get it done, I’m sure we can figure something out. Even if it doesn’t work out, that’s just how it’s supposed to be. I’m not going to get caught up in the number, but I did make some offers to him already that I feel like he can’t really come off of those. I think a lifetime supply of chicken will do it. Whatever it takes to make it happen, whether it does or not, I’m here to win games. I’m here to win a Super Bowl.”
• The Cowboys have their final training camp practice in California on Thursday. The team then travels to Arizona on Friday for their second preseason game, which is Saturday. They return to Dallas on Sunday.
Aug. 19, 2026 Updated 11:57 am CDT
OXNARD, Calif. — The Dallas Cowboys basically don’t play starters in the preseason. In Dallas’ preseason opener last weekend in Seattle, the only potential Week 1 starters who saw any playing time were defensive backs Caleb Downs and Shavon Revel. They combined for 13 snaps.
The Cowboys prefer their top players get their preseason work in their joint practices. That worked out well last week in their practice with the Los Angeles Rams. Not so much Tuesday with the New Orleans Saints.
About eight fights broke out throughout the two-hour session, significantly impacting the ability of either team to get in as much quality work as expected. At one point, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer and Saints coach Kellen Moore discussed ending the practice early.
“A little chippy,” a visibly frustrated Schottenheimer said. “Not the way we like to do business. We got to be better, but I got to look at the film. We’re certainly not going to take s— from anybody. It was chippy on both sides. I want our guys to play on the edge without going over the edge. One guy sounds like he might have thrown a punch and that’s why he left practice.”
That player was outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku, who was kicked out of practice two weeks ago for throwing a punch. Schottenheimer huddled the team up for a longer than usual postgame discussion because of the fights. Both teams then got along just fine after practice with several players from each team spending time together.
“Our football team needs this work,” Schottenheimer said. “Overall, I was disappointed in the work today because I don’t think we got enough good work. There were too many bodies on the ground. It just felt sloppy to me.
“There’s a discipline element to playing this football game. Unfortunately, we didn’t handle that very well today. But I don’t think we were the only culprits.”
• George Pickens continues to have a strong camp. He was the Cowboys’ best offensive player in their practice with the Rams and it appeared to be the same on Tuesday. Catching passes across the middle or hauling in deep balls, Pickens looks ready for a big season.
• Dak Prescott had a good day, but he threw one interception. It was difficult to tell if it was a bad throw or miscommunication between Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, who was coming across the field when the ball went over his head and into the hands of Saints safety Julian Blackmon.
• Second-year running back Jaydon Blue did not practice because of shoulder soreness from the preseason opener.
• Saints All-Pro wide receiver Chris Olave looked to be New Orleans’ top performer. Downs got several reps against him, allowing a touchdown in red zone work but appearing to break up a pass along the sideline that was initially ruled a reception. Downs continues to play well in a variety of areas, including coming up to stop the run.
• Safety Jalen Thompson had one of the defense’s biggest plays, intercepting New Orleans starting quarterback Tyler Shough in the end zone. “Kind of just in the post and reading the QB’s eyes,” said Thompson, Dallas’ biggest free-agency addition. “He made kind of a bad throw right there and I ended up coming down with it.” Thompson acknowledged that confusing the quarterback, like the defense appeared to do on that play, is a big part of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme. Cornerback Reddy Steward also had an interception in team drills.
• The biggest position of concern on offense entering camp was left tackle. But Tyler Guyton has held up well, particularly in the two joint practices. The bigger concern lately has been right tackle Terence Steele. “(Steele) has to play a little bit more consistent,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s had a couple days where he’s been a little bit dropping his pads and getting edged a little bit. He needs to be better.”
• Cowboys starters to record sacks included Rashan Gary with two and Kenny Clark and Malachi Lawrence with one each.
• Backup QB Joe Milton has been playing well, building off his strong showing in the preseason game. Not only has Milton looked accurate on intermediate and deep throws but he’s not putting the ball in areas where it could be intercepted. There’s a good chance that he will start and play the entire first half against the Cardinals on Saturday.
• All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey was 6-for-6 on his field goal attempts with the longest coming from 41 yards.
• Wide receiver Ryan Flournoy continues to build on what he did last season. It’s clear that Prescott has a lot of trust in him. His best play Tuesday was a catch in the back of the end zone in red zone work where he not only made the leaping grab but quickly got both feet in bounds. The Cowboys have themselves an excellent No. 3 wide receiver.
• It’s interesting to see that the Cowboys have been doing more shovel passes to tight end Jake Ferguson coming in motion in short yardage and red zone situations.
• The newest Cowboy, Von Miller, was in uniform but not full pads. He worked off to the side doing individual drills throughout practice. Miller was wearing No. 40, which belongs to fullback Hunter Luepke. Miller is negotiating. He’s not interested in 58, saying that’s a “Denver thing.” He also doesn’t want to wear No. 94 because he believes it belongs to his good friend and Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware.
“Hunter, we already started off on a great foot,” Miller said. “I’m a team guy. Whatever it takes to get it done, I’m sure we can figure something out. Even if it doesn’t work out, that’s just how it’s supposed to be. I’m not going to get caught up in the number, but I did make some offers to him already that I feel like he can’t really come off of those. I think a lifetime supply of chicken will do it. Whatever it takes to make it happen, whether it does or not, I’m here to win games. I’m here to win a Super Bowl.”
• The Cowboys have their final training camp practice in California on Thursday. The team then travels to Arizona on Friday for their second preseason game, which is Saturday. They return to Dallas on Sunday.
