OXNARD, Calif. - The Cowboys held their final practice before Tuesday's joint scrimmage against the Los Angeles Rams, where players will finally be able to hit someone that isn't their teammate.
Here are some of the top storylines from Monday's practice here in Oxnard:
Hall Pass: Stop me if you've heard this 99 times before: the Cowboys are trying to figure out the cornerback position, and injuries aren't making it any easier. One thing that is working in their favor is the fact that not only Kaiir Elam is stepping up, but also young talent like Kemon Hall; and more often as the days roll by. Hall had a spectacular PBU downfield in one-on-one coverage in team drills that put his athleticism and ball tracking ability on full display. (-Patrik Walker)
Bull in a China Shop: The highlight of the day came early in the team periods as tight end Princeton Fant elevated in the flat for an incredible one-handed catch. The throw was delivered high from Joe Milton but Fant saved the play by reeling it in with one hand and on one foot. (-Kyle Youmans)
The Next Steps: It's been an up-and-down career thus far for Damone Clark. His rookie season saw him debut ahead of schedule from a major neck surgery, then making a very real impact thereafter. He again showed flashes in Year 2 but, in Year 4, he's quickly washing the taste of Year 3 from his mouth. Clark is arguably having the best camp of his NFL career — rejuvenated by the addition of Matt Eberflus — stacking great plays literally daily at the halfway point of the Oxnard trip. (-Patrik Walker)
Let the Battle Begin: Two of the big challengers in the wide receiver battle had big days Monday, Traeshon Holden and Jalen Brooks. Holden continued to "show up" as head coach Brian Schottenheimer alluded to, making multiple grabs in team period and two touchdowns in 7-on-7 redzone drills. Meanwhile, Brooks elevated over Isreal Mukuamu for an emphatic touchdown grab in full team drills. (-Kyle Youmans)
Touchdown Tolbert: After a rough couple of practices since the team arrived in Oxnard, Jalen Tolbert showed up in a big way on Monday. He had a deep over the shoulder catch through tight coverage that he caught while falling to the ground, and improvised in a red-zone 7 on 7 drill. It's rare to say that the team's leading touchdown scorer at wide receiver last season was in need of a good ay at camp, but Tolbert came through on Monday and now will look to build on it. (-Tommy Yarrish)
The Smith's: On Saturday, Brian Schottenheimer said that he expected Tyler Smith back at practice after dealing with some knee soreness, but he didn't end up taking the field. He did on Monday, and was participating in individual drills, but not team drills as the Cowboys aren't rush him into anything and aren't worried about a major injury risk at all, with Schottenheimer calling it "maintenance." On the other hand, third year Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith left practice early with an injury. He spend a few minutes in the medical tent before ultimately walking to the locker room under his own power. (-Tommy Yarrish)
