Joe Milton kept making his case Saturday night, and the Dallas Cowboys kept rolling.
In a 34-13 preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Milton looked like the quarterback with the clearest grip on Dallas’ backup job. He finished 9 of 13 for 179 yards and two touchdowns, added a 1-yard rushing score, and helped push the Cowboys to a 24-6 halftime lead.
The early damage came fast. After Shavon Revel came up with an interception that gave Dallas a short field, Milton found Malik Davis on an 8-yard touchdown pass. Soon after, he struck again, connecting with Jonathan Mingo on a 53-yard scoring play that stretched the lead to 14-0 midway through the first quarter.
Adam Schefter posted on X: “Joe Milton to Jonathan Mingo for a 53-yard TD.”
Joe Milton to Jonathan Mingo for a 53-yard TD.
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2026
Milton’s night included more than the highlight throws. A 70-yard catch by Camden Brown helped set up Milton’s short touchdown run, and the official Cowboys site listed him with a 151.4 passer rating and no interceptions. Sam Howell took over after halftime and completed 7 of 10 passes for 65 yards with one interception.
Dallas got strong production on the ground as well. Jaydon Blue led the way with 75 yards on 15 carries, while Israel Abanikanda chipped in with useful work as the Cowboys finished with 175 rushing yards. Phil Mafah added a 15-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
The Cowboys are now 2-0 in the preseason, their first 2-0 start in preseason play since 2007. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the game that Milton showed control over different throws and speeds, and the performance built on what he had already put together the week before against Seattle.
Milton entered the night in a battle with Howell for the No. 2 job behind Dak Prescott, who rested with most of the starters. Mingo and Brown both made their mark in the passing game, and the defense held Arizona to one touchdown while forcing a turnover.
With final cuts approaching, plenty of players on the roster bubble used the night to make their case. Dallas closes preseason play at home against the New Orleans Saints on Friday, Aug. 28, at 8 p.m. ET.
For now, Milton’s recent stretch has him sitting in the driver’s seat for the primary backup role, even if Schottenheimer has made it clear the evaluation is still going.
In Other News...
Cardinals Roster Bubble Just Got Tougher After Ugly Cowboys Loss
With most of the starters resting, the Cardinals preseason loss to the Cowboys did not carry the usual weight on the scoreboard, but it still mattered for the players fighting to survive the final roster trim. Arizona fell 34-13 in a game that was more about evaluation than outcome, and there were a few encouraging signs mixed into an otherwise uneven night. Leota flashed enough to stand out, while a handful of others needed a cleaner showing to strengthen their cases.
Mike LaFleur said the staff is still sorting through player development and roster considerations as the cuts approach, which is where this kind of game can become unforgiving. Robinson and Ojulari were among the names that did not do much to separate themselves, and that leaves the bubble looking tighter than it did before kickoff. For players on the fringes, the next few days may matter even more than the final preseason score. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Face A Tough Tip Reiman Decision Before Cutdown Day
The Cardinals got a useful roster update with cornerback Garrett Williams coming off the PUP list and back into practice, but the more complicated injury watch still centers on Tip Reiman. The second-year tight end remains on the PUP list after breaking his ankle, and with Week 1 looming, the team is still sorting through what his availability will really look like when the season opens.
Mike LaFleur said Reimans status is uncertain, which leaves Arizona with a decision to make as cutdown day approaches. For a team trying to finalize its roster, the question is not just whether Reiman can return soon, but whether the Cardinals can afford to carry him while waiting for that recovery to play out. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Fans Should Revisit One Complicated Truth From Last Season
Last season ended with the Cardinals where nobody wanted them, but there was at least a clearer picture of what they had started to uncover under Jonathan Gannon. Arizonas 4-13 finish still reflected a long rebuild, yet the team also got Kyler Murray back from injury in the middle of the year and saw enough from the offense to leave some legitimate building blocks in place. Murray threw for 1,799 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games, while James Conner powered the run game and Trey McBride quietly emerged as one of the most important pieces on the roster.
Budda Baker was the lone Pro Bowler, a reminder that the defense still had a foundational presence even in a difficult season. For Cardinals fans, the complicated truth is that 2023 was not just another losing year to file away, because it also revealed a team with a few core players worth believing in. The challenge now is whether those flashes can turn into something more stable, rather than getting lost in the record that came with them. [Read more 🡒]