The Dallas Cowboys will take the field for the first time under coach Brian Schottenheimer in their preseason opener at 6 p.m. CDT Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Quarterback Dak Prescott and most of the starters on both sides of the ball are not expected to play, although their availability for the two remaining exhibitions could open up.
“There will be a handful of guys that won’t play,” Schottenheimer said Friday. “You have a target set number you have for guys in the preseason. ... Our players are aware of where we are going into this game.”
With that in mind, the depth chart will be on display Saturday at every position group as 91 players fight for a spot on the 53-man roster on cut-down day Aug. 26.
Here are five players to keep an eye on Saturday night:
Joe Milton
The second-year quarterback got a lot of burn with the New England Patriots in his rookie preseason in 2024, and even landed a start in Week 18 of the regular season. This time around, Milton is the clear backup in Dallas after being traded during the offseason and will likely take on the majority of the action in the three preseason games.
It’s an opportunity to refine his game in the event he will need to be thrust into action at some point in the regular season.
“We have faith in Joe already,” Schottenheimer said. “But [the preseason] is incredibly important. You talk about a guy who hasn’t played a whole lot of football. Not just in the National Football League, but in college. Every rep is critical.”
In training camp, Milton has displayed his elite arm on a handful of occasions. In Tuesday’s joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams, Milton launched a 65-yard touchdown to Jalen Brooks that traveled roughly 70 yards in the air. His work in the short-to-intermediate range has been where the ups and downs have been present.
Donovan Ezeiruaku
The edge rusher, a second-round rookie out of Boston College, has been one of the standouts at training camp as he’s taken increased reps with the first team in the absence of Micah Parsons.
While it was Ezeiruaku’s pass-rush dominance that first flashed early in camp, it’s also been his work in the run game and dropping back in coverage that has made him a versatile defender for defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
“The reason we drafted Donovan is what we’re seeing now,” Eberflus said. “The work ethic, talent, balance, power, speed. That’s what we see. He’s a wonderful teammate, and he’s grinded every day. He’s doing a nice job of progressing.”
Even though Ezeiruaku was listed as a fourth-stringer on the team’s first unofficial depth chart, he is expected to be a featured part of the Cowboys’ pass rush Saturday in his first NFL action.
Deuce Vaughn
This year’s training camp and preseason is a do-or-die time for the running back’s career with the Cowboys. In his third season, Vaughn hasn’t been able to carve a role on offense despite making the 53-man roster in his first two years. However, Saturday could be his time to shine.
With veteran running back Miles Sanders (knee) and rookie running back Jaydon Blue (ankle/heel) expected to miss Saturday’s contest with injuries, Vaughn is expected to get a healthy workload alongside rookie Phil Mafah and the recently signed Malik Davis.
Vaughn has missed multiple practices in training camp with a hamstring injury, but he took team drills in the 11-on-11 period Friday for the first time since being cleared. His workload could be limited as a result, but his opportunity will be there. To crack the roster amid a hotly contested running back battle, he will have to take full advantage of the food on his plate.
Jonathan Mingo
After the Cowboys traded for the wide receiver during the season last year, he hauled in just five receptions for 46 yards in eight games.
In training camp, he has taken on a much more increased role as he begins to find rhythm with Prescott despite the added presence and target share taken by George Pickens.
“He’s strong,” wide receiver CeeDee Lamb said of Mingo. “He’s real strong. Once he keeps those strength in those routes, he’s gotten so much better at the top of his routes. I saw that in OTAs. He’s gotten way better. ... I’m happy for his growth.”
For Mingo to finally get comfortable in games, success in the preseason will be vital, especially if he finds himself as the third wide receiver target behind Lamb and Pickens in the regular season.
Jay Toia
When executive vice president Stephen Jones was asked about positions of concern earlier this week by DallasCowboys.com, he highlighted the defensive tackle room. To get what they want out of stopping the run, Toia’s 330-pound frame will have to step up in a big way to offer confidence during the regular season.
“The size, the pad level,” Schottenheimer said about what stands out for Toia. “I think the pad level he’s playing with right now is really impressive. He’s just a talented guy. When you have a guy like that, that can penetrate and be disruptive ... that’s tough.”
Toia finds himself picking up first-team reps in a rotational role with Mazi Smith during training camp, but a big performance in the preseason could offer some optimism toward an increased role in the regular season.