OXNARD, Calif.– Jason Garrett doesn't typically like to pinpoint specific players who are standing out – whether from a game or practice.
His line of always "trying to get better" usually trumps all, but Garrett delivered a few names on Monday when asked about standouts from the game.
While Taco Charlton, Xavier Woods and Kavon Frazier were thrown out as expected, Garrett also dropped "26" into the mix, too.
That would be relatively unknown cornerback Duke Thomas, who made more than a handful of plays in Saturday's game with the Rams.
Thomas kept showing up on the film, whether it was a special teams tackle inside the 10-yard line, or recovering a fumble near the goal line, the cornerback stood out from start to finish.
"He made some plays out there," Garrett said. "Anyone who just pulls back and watches the game will notice those players. And he was one of them."
Thomas' recovery was a rare one, considering the defense knocked the ball out five times but the Cowboys only came away with the one from Thomas, who signed with the team as a street free agent early in the offseason.
Since his signing, Thomas saw the Cowboys sign veteran Nolan Carroll and then draft three cornerbacks as well.
"I don't ever worry about that. I just worry about what I can control," Thomas said. "It doesn't really matter who they bring in. I've been working hard and making the most of my reps that I get."
Thomas was credited with four tackles and another on special teams, with the fumble recovery.
"I thought I played well but there's a few plays in there I'd like to have back," said Thomas, who nearly had a recovery in the end zone that led to the Rams' only touchdown. "But overall I think I'm playing pretty good. But I've got room to get better."
Numbers wise, it won't be easy for Thomas to make this 53-man roster. Carroll, Orlando Scandrick and Anthony Brown seemed to have spots locked up, along with rookies Jourdan Lewis and Chidobe Awuzie. But if there is room for a sixth corner, Thomas will have to compete with sixth-rounder Marquez White, who also had a strong start to camp before an injury setback.
