SAN DIEGO - Cowboys rookie wide receiver Danny Amendola showed a nice burst on the first punt return of his NFL career, then fumbled his next attempt with 5:39 left in the first quarter which led to a Chargers touchdown.
The Cowboys' special teams struggles continued in Saturday's 31-17 preseason loss to the Chargers, particularly in punt and kickoff coverage - an area that was inconsistent at times last season.
The Chargers averaged 20.5 yards on four punt returns, and speedy Darren Sproles had a 25-yard kickoff return.
"I thought our special teams didn't play well," Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said. "They're a very good special teams (unit) and we knew that going in. We did look at a lot of people. We didn't punt the ball well to help our special teams and then our kickoff returns weren't real good. It's something that we need to address."
Cowboys kicker Nick Folk did drill his only field goal attempt, a 35-yarder at the end of the first half.
Austin Shines
The second-team offense had a tough night - backup quarterback Brad Johnson was sacked twice and threw an interception - but one exception was third-year receiver Miles Austin, who caught a team-high five passes for 64 yards.
Austin had three catches for 31 yards on the Cowboys' final drive before the half, which ended with Nick Folk's lone field goal.
"He made some good catches, ran with it after he caught it, went up after the football," Phillips said. "I was proud of that."
Thomas Making Plays
Linebacker Zach Thomas made a brief but strong impression in his Cowboys debut.
The seven-time Pro Bowler was all over the field, making three tackles on the first two defensive series. Both ended in punts.
"It's good to get comfortable around other players, although I was a little nervous," said Thomas, who has replaced Akin Ayodele (Dolphins) as the weak inside linebacker. "I've never been nervous for a preseason game, but for this one I was because everything's changed, but it will come. I still have a long ways to go myself."
Scary Moment For Scandrick
Rookie cornerback Orlando Scandrick briefly knocked himself out of the game in the third quarter when he drilled Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst.
Scandrick said he suffered a minor shoulder stinger but returned on the next series.
Touchdown Deon
Deon Anderson probably won't get many more carries this season than he did as a rookie (zero). But the second-year fullback put the finishing touches on an efficient opening drive for the offense, rumbling up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown.
Last year, Anderson missed the final eight games with a torn rotator cuff but successfully recovered from off-season surgery. The projected starter at fullback, Anderson will be asked to create holes in the running game and help protect Tony Romo in passing situations.
The Cowboys also like Anderson's aggressiveness on special teams, and sure enough, the second-year veteran stopped San Diego's Darren Sproles on kickoff following his touchdown run.
Short Shots
The Cowboys' pre-game captains were wide receiver Terrell Owens, tight end Jason Witten, free safety Ken Hamlin, linebacker Bradie James and long snapper L.P. Ladouceur . . . First-year running back Alonzo Coleman, wide receiver Isaiah Stanback and rookie cornerback Orlando Scandrick took turns returning kickoffs . . . Defensive lineman Marcus Dixon (back) and cornerbacks Terence Newman (groin) and Quincy Butler (hamstring) did not make the trip.
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