Training camp is officially over, and the Dallas Cowboys are shifting gears fast. The team heads to Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday night for a crucial preseason matchup against the Cardinals. This isn’t about winning the game; it is about figuring out who stays and who goes before the final roster cuts hit.
Starters Get The Night Off
Don’t expect to see the stars in the first quarter. Per reports, the starters will likely sit out this Week 2 preseason game entirely. The Cowboys already secured a 17-7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, so the coaching staff wants to see how the backups handle the pressure. The real story is the depth chart battle unfolding right now. Backup quarterback Sam Howell faces Joe Milton in a fight for the second-string spot. Meanwhile, the running back room is a crowded mess with a group of contestants vying for the RB2 role. These players need every single snap they can get to prove they belong on the 53-man roster.
The defense has similar questions to answer. Depth positions across the unit are up for grabs, and the coaches need to see who can make plays without the help of the All-Pro starters. If the backups look slow or confused, the coaching staff will know exactly where the holes are before the regular season starts. This game is a stress test for the second unit, not a showcase for the first.
Rookies Must Shine Tonight
The biggest eyes will be on the young players trying to make their mark. According to Blogging The Boys, three specific rookies need to prove they are ready for the big stage. Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, and Jaishawn Barham are all in the mix for significant playing time. Barham is returning from an injury, which adds a layer of urgency to his performance. He cannot afford to look rusty when the lights are on. The team wants to see if he can match the speed of the NFL game after his recovery.
Game time is set for 10:00 PM EST at State Farm Stadium. Fans can catch the action on KTVT 11 locally or stream it via NFL+. The Dallas Cowboys enter this game with a 1-0 record, while the Cardinals sit at 1-1. The odds have Dallas as a slight favorite at +1.5, but preseason odds mean very little when the starters are sitting.
