A training camp standout for the Dallas Cowboys spent part of Thursday under the watch of trainers, turning what had been a feel-good summer story into a brief scare.
Rookie third-round pick Jaishawn Barham has been one of the biggest surprises of camp, working with the first team at inside linebacker and looking far from a first-year player. The Michigan product has already earned trust from defensive coordinator Christian Parker, showing up against the run and in coverage.
That’s what makes Barham’s situation so notable. He’s been one of the early camp revelations and a player who looked ready for a major role right away. Then, during practice on Thursday, he appeared to get hurt and was checked by trainers before walking under his own power to the medical tent for further evaluation.
Jaishawn Barham is being looked at in the #Cowboys medical tent - no limp. not sure what happened, but stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/KFKiGU0FI5
Not long after that, Barham headed toward the locker room. Jon Machota reported that Barham said he was “good,” though the team had not offered an update.
If Barham has to miss time, Dee Winters would be the next man up next to DeMarvion Overshown. That would be a notable turn, considering Winters was brought in as the Cowboys’ top offseason addition at linebacker.
Winters posted a breakout season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, but he was not expected to start this year. Dallas got him by sending a Day 3 pick to the 49ers in exchange for the Texas native, and at the time he was seen as the starter. Barham’s rapid rise in camp changed that picture fast.
In Other News...
Three Fringe Cowboys Are Forcing Their Way Into The Roster Fight
Training camp has a way of turning the bottom of the roster into one of the most interesting parts of the Cowboys summer, and that has been true again this week. Undrafted rookie Michael Trigg has drawn notice with the kind of practice work that keeps a fringe player in the conversation, while Curtis Robinson is picking up more responsibility on both defense and special teams as Dallas sorts through its depth before the first preseason game.
The same pressure is hanging over Sam Williams, who is still fighting for his place as the Cowboys sort out a crowded edge mix. For players in that tier, every rep matters because the coaching staff is looking for reliability as much as upside, and the next few practices will carry extra weight as roster decisions begin to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Have One Ruthless Answer To Washingtons Stefon Diggs Splash
Washingtons move to add Stefon Diggs gives the Commanders another big-name target to pair with Terry McLaurin, and it also puts a little extra pressure on Dallas to answer in kind. If the Cowboys are looking for a direct response, the logic points to the defensive side of the ball, where help at linebacker would do more than just make a statement. Bobby Wagner is the obvious name in that conversation, especially for a team that wants proven production and a veteran presence in the middle of the defense.
Wagner would bring familiarity with the division and a track record that still plays in a room like Dallas linebacker group. His recent work in Washington showed he can stay on the field and handle a major role, which is part of why he keeps surfacing as a fit if the Cowboys want to counter the Commanders latest splash with something equally sharp. The question is whether Dallas wants to make a move that feels both practical and pointed, or keep looking for its answer elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]