The Cowboys’ second joint practice of training camp brought a much different feel than their work against the Rams.
Dallas looked sharp earlier this month when it lined up with Los Angeles, but Tuesday’s session with the Saints was messier, chippier and a little more revealing. Chris Olave gave the Cowboys plenty to deal with, and while the overall day was still a solid one, his performance served as a reminder that there’s work left before the regular season.
On the positive side, Quinnen Williams looked every bit like the kind of force Dallas wants him to be. The defender, who was added at the trade deadline, is expected to be the centerpiece of the rebuilt defense, and he showed why against New Orleans. On one snap, Williams overpowered David Edwards and blew up a rushing attempt by tossing him aside.
The pass rush also kept making life difficult for the Saints, even without newly-signed Von Miller taking part. Rashan Gary led the charge with two sacks, while Malachi Lawrence added one and James Houston was right there with him when he got home.
Dallas’ offensive line depth, though, remained a concern. Nick Harris pointed out that the backups struggled again, echoing what showed up in the preseason opener and underscoring the need for the Cowboys to consider outside help.
The session also turned heated in a hurry. Kellen Moore may be coaching New Orleans now, but there was nothing friendly about the practice.
Multiple fights broke out, and the tension kept climbing as the day went on. One scrum started after Javonte Williams took a hard hit and tight end DJ Rogers stepped in.
Later, Donovan Ezeiruaku appeared to go at the entire Saints offense. As has often been the case in joint practices, a little pushing and shoving was expected; this one went well past that.
Amid the chaos, Ryan Flournoy and Jake Ferguson made their presence felt. Still, the biggest highlight belonged to George Pickens, who delivered the kind of catch that has already become his calling card. Dak Prescott took a shot downfield, firing a ball into coverage, and Pickens adjusted in the air to make a leaping grab.
It was the sort of play Pickens brings to this offense that few others can. A 50-50 ball thrown his way is rarely wasted, and Tuesday was another reminder of why.
In Other News...
Cowboys Suddenly Have An Eagles Opening Worth Watching
Philadelphias pass rush plan has taken on a more uncertain feel as training camp drags on, and that is the kind of development Dallas will notice. The Eagles invested heavily in Jonathan Greenard, bringing him in via trade and backing it up with a sizable contract, so his availability matters far beyond one roster spot. What was once described as a non-long-term issue has become a lingering question, with Greenard still working his way back after a pec injury suffered in the weight room.
For the Cowboys, any hint of instability up front in Philadelphia is worth tracking because the Eagles have built around disrupting quarterbacks. Vic Fangios defense was counting on Greenard to be part of that pressure package, and the longer he remains sidelined, the more the Eagles have to adjust. The real concern now is not just when he returns, but whether the season opens with one of Philadelphias key additions already behind schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Crossed A Line In Practice And Schottenheimer Made It Clear
Joint practices are supposed to sharpen a team before the games matter, but the Cowboys and Saints spent too much of their latest session breaking up skirmishes instead of getting clean work done. One of the flash points came when linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku was ejected after throwing a punch, a moment that left Dallas offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer plainly frustrated with how the day unfolded.
Schottenheimer said the Cowboys need aggression with discipline, not the kind that turns a practice into a mess and robs both sides of productive reps. He also pointed back to Ezeiruaku's previous practice incident, making clear that the lesson has to sink in quickly for a team trying to use these joint sessions to get better, not to spend them watching tempers flare. [Read more 🡒]
Trevon Diggs Just Gave Cowboys Fans A Rival Reunion To Watch
Trevon Diggs is back on the market in a way Cowboys fans did not see coming, and the latest stop is giving this move some extra intrigue. After being waived by Dallas in December, the cornerback has signed with the Seattle Seahawks, a fresh chance for a player who has been trying to reestablish himself after injury-shortened seasons.
The reunion angle gets even more interesting because Stefon Diggs, his brother and now a Washington Commanders receiver, reposted the news and weighed in on the move. For Dallas fans, the storyline now stretches beyond the waiver wire and into familiar connections Trevon already has with Seattle coaches and players, setting up a new chapter that carries plenty of emotional and football stakes. [Read more 🡒]