FRISCO, Texas — Training camp is closer than ever for the Dallas Cowboys and the rest of the NFL as well, and while the itinerary for this year's trip to Oxnard, California is still being ironed out, the organization has a handle on when they expect everyone to be present and accounted for.
Travel from Dallas to Oxnard will begin on July 22-23, and both rookies and veterans are required to report on Wednesday, July 24; and the Cowboys are hoping that includes All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who was absent from OTAs and mandatory minicamp due to his contract status — though preparing nonetheless.
The first practice date and time are currently TBD.
The team will not depart Oxnard until August 22, making this the longest California camp in the history of the franchise — one that includes two preseason away games before returning to North Texas for the preseason finale, a matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, August 24.
They're also scheduled to scrimmage against the Los Angeles Rams ahead of the two squaring off on Sunday, August 11, with a visit to the Las Vegas Raiders slated for Saturday, August 17.
It goes without saying that this is one of the most important training camps in recent memory for the Cowboys, be it from the perspective of contract statuses on head coach Mike McCarthy and several within his coaching staff (ex: Mike Zimmer is on a one-year deal) and roster — the latter potentially including All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott, should a new deal not be agreed to prior to the start of the regular season.
Prescott and Co. were all dialed up in their intensity in mandatory minicamp, though within the restrictions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and that intensity will likely transfer over to training camp with a bang.
With so much on the line in 2024, nothing less will be deemed acceptable by McCarthy.
