The Cowboys kick off their 2025 preseason on Saturday at SoFi Stadium, and few players will have more eyes on him than quarterback Joe Milton. We’ll dig into what he hopes to show, and we’ll spotlight several other Cowboys looking to make a splash, from the seventh-round running back who could suddenly be in line for a heavy workload… to the tight ends who should be a bit fresher thanks to a decision by Jake Ferguson. We’ll also update you on the good news surrounding his scary-looking injury on Thursday.
Elsewhere, there’s more shuffling along the offensive line, with two depth pieces shelved and a new body added to the mix from outside. Micah Parsons kept a low profile on Friday, a familiar face returns to the Dallas backfield, and KaVontae Turpin elicits a stunning comparison from head coach Brian Schottenheimer. All that, plus we remember one of the franchise’s earliest star players, and Jerry Jones sees yet another delay in a longstanding legal matter.
Cowboys’ Joe Milton hoping to display rocket arm, impressive tools in preseason debut :: Dallas Morning News
The team declined to officially name a starting quarterback ahead of Saturday’s game, but all signs point to Joe Milton getting the call. He’s had an impressive camp, and the team (not to mention the fanbase) is eager to see what he can do in real game action. Reports are that his timing and internal clock have improved since his rookie year in New England. But there’s extra anticipation to see his fabled arm, too; Milton says he could throw a football 70 yards in a game situation, 80 or more in practice.
Report: Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson avoids serious injury in big practice hit from teammate :: Cowboys Wire
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Kenneth Murray’s hit on Ferguson on a red-zone pass play Thursday looked scary, knocking the tight end clean off his feet and sending him wincing off the practice field. But the diagnosis is a simple back bruise, not serious enough to worry about.
Updates: One reason Ferguson practiced Friday :: The Mothership
Even with his back hurting, Ferguson went through Friday’s walkthrough specifically to keep the other tight ends fresh for Saturday’s preseason opener. Luke Schoonmaker, Princeton Fant, John Stephens, Tyler Neville, and Rivaldo Fairweather should split most of the snaps versus the Rams.
What we learned from Cowboys training camp on Friday: Rookie RB Phil Mafah ready to rumble :: Dallas Morning News
With minor injuries hampering several of the Dallas running backs, the seventh-rounder out of Clemson could suddenly be getting more snaps than expected in the first preseason contest. “I’m just excited to play some real football,” Mafah said. “Just to be able to go out there and have fun. First NFL game ever, so I’m just taking it in and it’s a surreal moment.”
Deuce Vaughn returning from hamstring injury :: Patrik Walker
O-Lineman who Cowboys signed to start now lost for ’25, replaced with RB reunion :: Cowboys Wire
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The neck injury that Rob Jones suffered during the team’s first padded practice has now landed him on season-ending injured reserve. His roster spot has been taken by Malik Davis, the backup running back who spent 2022 and 2023 on the Cowboys roster behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. Davis could see action versus the Rams on Saturday.
Cowboys claim OL Nick Broeker off of waivers :: ProFootballTalk
Reserve offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley was waived with an injury designation. If he clears waivers and goes unclaimed, he will revert back to the Dallas practice squad. The Cowboys have claimed guard Nick Broeker off the waiver wire; he was dumped by the Steelers on Thursday.
Parsons keeps low profile again Friday :: Todd Archer
In positive change, Cowboys HC sees $136 million, $13.5 million weapons ‘interchangeable’ :: Cowboys Wire
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CeeDee Lamb is a former first-round draft pick who is now one of the top receiving threats and highest-paid players in today’s game. KaVontae Turpin is an ex-USFLer who took a circuitous route to the NFL and was viewed largely as a special teams gamble. But Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer now calls the two “interchangeable” and says Turpin is in for a “fabulous year.”
The 10 Dallas Cowboys players making strong impressions through first half of camp :: The Athletic
They’re not getting the same amount of press as other top-tier names, but cornerback Kaiir Elam, linebacker Marist Liufau, fullback Hunter Luepke, and undrafted wide receiver Traeshon Holden are among the Cowboys turning heads with two weeks to go until roster cuts are due.
Early Cowboys star, former all-time leading receiver Billy Howton passes away at 95 :: Cowboys Wire
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The Rice product spent seven losing seasons in Green Bay just before Vince Lombardi arrived. After a year in Cleveland, he nearly retired but decided to join the expansion Cowboys in 1960 to play in his home state. He led the team in receiving in 1961 and 1962, then became the NFL’s all-time leader in both receptions and receiving yards in 1963 before hanging up his cleats. He’s still in the league’s top 100 and in the Cowboys’ all-time top 30. Howton was believed to be the oldest living NFL alum; he passed away Aug. 4.
Trial in sexual assault lawsuit against Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones delayed again :: Dallas Morning News
The sexual assault trial was set to begin Monday in Dallas County. The allegations in the lawsuit date to September 2018, when a woman alleges Jones kissed and groped her without her consent at AT&T Stadium following a Cowboys game. This marks the third time the trial date, originally set for March 2024 (the lawsuit was first filed nearly five years ago), has been pushed.
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