Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season. Presented by Blockchain.com
July 30 Updates
3:46 p.m. - Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones continues the train of high marks for second-round pick Sam Williams. The rookie defensive end has already garnered high marks from players like All-Pro pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence, who stated Williams has "more tools" in his toolbox than he's currently aware of and, importantly, Lawrence believes Williams can be a Day 1 contributor.
For his part, Jones echoes the sentiment, noting how Williams "has jumped out" in both minicamp and the start of training camp -- something that bodes well for the possibility of Williams continuing to progress en route to potentially being awarded hefty playing time in his first year with the club.
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3:45 p.m. - If you haven't seen Markquese Bell play just yet, you likely will soon. The undrafted rookie from Florida A&M is already making waves in the defensive back group, and Stephen Jones stated the rookie "keeps showing up" in team drills and in his preparation.
Additionally, Jones gave a bit of an early nod to Bell, whom he said has "a good shot at making the roster" in September, adding that "it's good to have one of those" every summer.
Bell should get plenty of works in the preseason, which begins on Aug. 13 in Denver.
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July 29 Updates
10:41 a.m. - Do not expect to see quarterback Dak Prescott in the first two preseason outings against the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers, respectively, with head coach Mike McCarthy unofficially putting that idea to bed.
When asked if he's going to play in those games, McCarthy had a long pause before pointing out "Dak will practice a lot" against the Broncos and Chargers.
McCarthy did leave open the possibility of starting Prescott in the preseason finale -- when the Seattle Seahawks visit AT&T Stadium.
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10:31 a.m. - Head coach Mike McCarthy describes former fourth-round pick Jabril Cox as "bright, smooth, quicker and faster than you think", going on to note what they saw in Cox during limited time as a rookie -- prior to suffering a torn ACL -- was also a driving force in the decision to release Jaylon Smith.
Although Cox was not placed on the PUP list because of the injury, McCarthy has also said they will be smart with Cox and his practice schedule.
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10:28 a.m. - The team feels "much better" about where they are at the safety position as compared to this time last year, per head coach Mike McCarthy, who made a note to shower praise upon former Florida A&M standout Markquese Bell -- a UDFA signing in 2022 -- who is off to an impressive start that includes what he showed in minicamp.
Bell has been working with the No. 2 defense at safety, but has the ability to play both free and strong safety. That versatility is one of the reasons the Cowboys were so excited to sign him after the draft.
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10:25 a.m. - Wearing the No. 1 jersey, Kevin Joseph is having a good camp in what might be a season wherein the Cowboys expect him to be much more of an impact player, with head coach Mike McCarthy "looking for him to make the [second-year] jump" after showing flashes of his ability when looked upon as a rookie in 2021.
The second-round pick from Kentucky in 2021, Joseph had just two starts last year but will be battling for playing time with the regular starters at corner, including Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis.
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10:19 a.m. - Rookie cornerback Quandre Mosely was on the practice field for the first time in camp on Friday. He started out camp on Active/PUP because of an injury he sustained in the offseason.
With Mosely now off the PUP list, the Cowboys have just three players on there, highlighted by Michael Gallup, but also two rookies – WR Dontario Drummond and LB Aaron Hansford.
July 28 Updates
4:22 p.m. – Rookie offensive tackle Matt Waletzko exited the field with the athletic training staff early in Thursday's practice and did not return.
The fifth-round draft pick is reportedly dealing with a shoulder injury and will be re-evaluated.
Waletzko is competing for the backup swing tackle job behind left tackle Tyron Smith and projected starting right tackle Terence Steele.
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11:22 a.m. – It appeared wide receiver James Washington was banged up a bit after attempting to reel in a deep pass from quarterback Dak Prescott on Wednesday's first practice. But despite dealing with a minor bruise, Washington was in uniform Thursday and is expected to practice in full.
The 26-year-old opens camp in a battle with rookie third-round pick Jalen Tolbert for the opportunity to temporarily replace a still-recovering Michael Gallup at the start of the 2022 regular season. A former second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018, Washington has started in 25 games over his first four NFL seasons.
Washington also missed time in minicamp with a lower-leg injury as well.
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8:25 a.m. – The Cowboys are adding potential help in the return game by signing wide receiver KaVontae Turpin.
To make room for Turpin on the 90-man roster, the Cowboys waived fullback Nick Ralston.
Turpin was named USFL MVP for the New Jersey Generals in June after leading the league in receiving and also posting a punt return touchdown. The former TCU star went undrafted in 2019, likely due in part to reported off-the-field issues.
Turpin could compete right away to earn a spot as a return specialist as well as a spot in the receiver rotation. CeeDee Lamb is unlikely to be the featured punt returner now that he's the No. 1 receiver.
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July 27 Updates
11:18 a.m. – Mike McCarthy provided more insight into the recovery process of receiver Michael Gallup, who suffered a torn ACL in October and has been officially placed on the team's physically unable to perform (PUP) list to begin training camp.
Per McCarthy, Gallup has suffered no setbacks in his rehab from injury, and is in "the fourth quarter" of his recovery -- all positive signs that the standout receiver will be ready sooner than later.
Gallup signed a five-year extension earlier this offseason and is expected to see his targets increase in 2022 and beyond, as the definitive complementary piece to former first-round pick CeeDee Lamb, the latter set to ascend to the role of WR1 following the offseason trade of four-time Pro Bowl wideout Amari Cooper.
Gallup has proven himself a game-changing receiver, and the former third-round pick is on track to make his return in 2022.
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9:10 a.m. – The Cowboys placed five players on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform and Non-Football Injury lists before Wednesday's first training camp practice.
Not on the lists: second-year linebacker Jabril Cox, who missed the final 11 games of his rookie season with a torn ACL.
That means Cox is set to go for the start of camp after rehabbing with the athletic training staff throughout the offseason, including OTAs and minicamp.
Cox, a fourth-round draft pick last year, will have a chance to earn a regular role in the linebacker rotation vacated by veteran Keanu Neal, who was not re-signed in the offseason.
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July 26 Updates
11:21 a.m. – Cornerback Kelvin Joseph has arrived to camp with his teammates, despite his involvement in a Dallas shooting that resulted in the death of a 20-year old.
But Jerry Jones said he hasn't heard from the NFL on a possible suspension. Jones didn't want to speculate on the length of a suspension or if the league would punish Joseph at all.
McCarthy added on Joseph, "I think Kelvin showed humility to his teammates. He was a full participating in the offseason program."
A second-round pick out of Kentucky in 2021, Joseph started just two games last year and is expected to compete for playing time at corner behind Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis.
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July 25 Updates
3:08 p.m. – What a difference a year makes for Jayron Kearse.
When training camp began last year, Kearse probably wasn't on the radar yet for many Cowboys fans, having arrived on a one-year deal as a former part-time starter for the Lions and Vikings.
But Kearse enjoyed a breakout season in 2021, not only leading the Cowboys in tackles but also emerging as a leader on defense.
That's the exact approach he's taking into his second training camp with the team.
"I'm coming in hungry with the same mindset that I've got to prove everything that I can do," he told reporters as the Cowboys got off the bus Monday at camp headquarters in Oxnard. "I'm a leader now and guys look to me to be that leader. That's really the only difference, but as far as my approach and how I'm going about things, it's going to be the same thing as it was last year."
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June 16 Updates
5:21 p.m. - For the second straight year, the Cowboys are being disciplined by the NFL for a violation of the offseason practice rules. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has once again been fined by the NFL – this time for $100,000. The OTA practices were apparently too physical - the same complained levied against McCarthy and the Cowboys last year.
Not only does McCarthy get the fine, but the Cowboys will be docked one OTA day next spring.
Ironically, the Cowboys were supposed to hold a three-day minicamp this week but McCarthy limited to just one day on the field, stating he felt the players and coaches had "crossed the finish line" for the summer. The Cowboys players and coaches are off until the start of training camp on July 25.
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11:49 a.m. - With CeeDee Lamb moving into the No. 1 receiver role, coupled with Cedrick Wilson's departure in free agency, the Cowboys are in need for a punt returner.
Rookie WR Jalen Tolbert might just be the guy, according to coach Mike McCarthy.
Tolbert, who did miss a few weeks recovering from a hamstring injury, was one of the players getting extended reps returning punts this offseason.
"He's done a nice job with the limited reps he's had," McCarthy said. "He seems pretty natural back there."
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11:21 a.m. - The second-year cornerback has been in attendance all offseason, although he's been sidelined the last two weeks with what head coach Mike McCarthy described as a "minor injury."
McCarthy said he has no news to share regarding Joseph's status regarding his connection to a shooting death in Dallas back in March.
"I haven't been told anything for at least a month," said McCarthy, who added that he expects Joseph to be at "full go" for the start of training camp.
Joseph is expected to compete for playing time this season with fellow corners Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis.
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June 14 Updates
4:29 p.m. - When the Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith back in April, it was assumed by most that he would play left guard. So far, Connor McGovern didn't seem to get that message.
And even if Smith ends up unseating McGovern for the role, he's not making it easy on the rookie. On Tuesday before the minicamp practice, head coach Mike McCarthy praised the veteran guard.
"I think Connor has done an excellent job. I think like anything you control what you can control. We have so many players and he's one of them right there that we have the captains workouts," McCarthy said. "These guys have been here since February and Connor has been one of those guys. So, this is clearly the best shape he's been in. It's the strongest he's been. The numbers that he has pushed, his body index, all of those components are really what you look for, and he's maxed this time of year to get ready for the competition."
McGovern got most of the first-team reps at left guard. But don't forget, Smith is also getting left tackle reps when Tyron Smith is limited.
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8 a.m. – After choosing not to participate in last week's final set of voluntary OTAs, tight end Dalton Schultz is expected to return for this week's mandatory minicamp, which starts with practice Tuesday.
Schultz, currently on the one-year, $10.9 million franchise tag, is seeking a multi-year contract with the Cowboys. Both sides have until July 15 to negotiate a new deal or Schultz must play the season on the tag.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said last week that he understood Schultz's absence was simply a "business" decision, but wasn't sure if he'd be back for practice this week.
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