The Dallas Cowboys opened training camp in Oxnard, and the first day brought a little bit of everything: everyone was cleared for team activities at the start, veteran safety PJ Locke exited practice early with an apparent injury, and the team later said it believes Locke will be fine.
Once the action settled in, a few players stood out right away.
Jaydon Blue wasted no time showing why speed matters. The sophomore flashed his 4.38 burst, got loose for what would have been a long touchdown, and even mixed in with the first-team offense. If he keeps stacking days like that, he’ll give the Cowboys something to watch all summer and into the preseason next month.
George Pickens also made a strong first impression in California. With the franchise tag hanging over him, he still handled the day like a pro and looked sharp from the jump. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Pickens was locked in during meetings and sounded encouraged by what he saw.
“He was as dialed in in meetings as I’ve seen him since he’s been here, just following along, questions,” Schottenheimer said. “I think you’re going to see a very motivated George Pickens going into the season. And I think that’s great news for us and maybe bad news for the rest of the league.”
Other players who had solid opening days included Rashan Gary, Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Brevyn Spann-Ford. Gary forced a fumble on a Phil Mafah run that rookie Caleb Downs recovered.
Prescott, entering his 11th season as the Cowboys’ quarterback, looked smooth reading the defense and delivering the ball to his playmakers. Lamb caught several quick passes from Prescott and added yards after the catch, while Spann-Ford found space in the defense and made a strong catch away from his body.
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Rush is walking into a crowded, temporary opportunity rather than a clear path to a job, which makes this stop feel especially important. The Falcons need bodies and competition while their quarterback room is banged up, and Rush will have to make the most of every rep if he wants to turn a short-term camp signing into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]