The Cowboys’ training camp has been one of the early surprises of the summer, and Jaishawn Barham has been right at the center of it.
The rookie third-round pick out of Michigan has been working with the first team at inside linebacker, and he has looked anything but overwhelmed. Barham has been stacking good reps in camp, showing up against the run and in coverage while also earning the trust of defensive coordinator Christian Parker. He’s making a strong case to be one of the draft’s biggest steals and, at this point, looked lined up for a major role as a rookie.
That’s what made Thursday’s scene so unsettling. During practice, Barham appeared to pick up an injury 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 was seen heading to the locker room. Jon Machota said Barham believed he was “good,” but the team has not offered an update yet.
If Barham has to miss time, Dee Winters would be next in line to step in alongside DeMarvion Overshown. That would be a notable turn, considering Winters was Dallas’ top offseason addition at linebacker. The Cowboys got him by sending a Day 3 pick to the San Francisco 49ers after Winters turned in a breakout 2025 season in San Francisco.
Winters, the Texas native, had been expected to start before Barham’s rapid rise changed the picture in camp.
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