OXNARD, Calif. — Training camp officially kicked off on Thursday as the team took the field in front of the fans and media for the first time in Southern California.
Position battles, key player developments and a new defensive system are all big points of emphasis heading into training camp, but the team took it easy on day one with 7-on-7 action being the most intense of any drill put forth.
Here are the observations and notes from the DallasCowboys.com staff from day one.
- DeMarvion Overshown was back on the practice field for the Cowboys, not simply relegated to sideline rehab, for the first time since suffering a torn ACL last August; and he moved extremely well and didn't look as if he was overthinking his reconstructed knee whatsoever. It's a huge sign that he could hit the ground running after his redshirt season, and that would be a jackpot for Mike Zimmer's defense and the LBs corps. (Walker)
- The QB2 battle is officially underway as Trey Lance and Cooper Rush took the field with the backup quarterback job on the line over the course of the next four weeks. Sure, the duo is still getting acclimated in Oxnard, but the job interview begins now. Neither started off on a particularly strong foot with Lance hesitating to push the ball downfield more than five yards and Rush making some errant throws. The slight advantage would go to Rush from me today, but it wasn't in particularly winning fashion. (Nick Harris)
- Rookie offensive lineman Cooper Beebe struggled with delivering shotgun snaps throughout practice. He started to struggle early during the offensive line's individual drills and improved with more reps during the 7-on-7 period. It'll take some adjustments, but the team is making an early point to get him the necessary reps. (Youmans)
- Watch out for the Jalens. Young wide receivers Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks are amongst the top in the mix battling to be the WR3 after Michael Gallup's departure, and both turned heads on Thursday. Brooks snagged a couple of high-point grabs along the sideline and Tolbert made arguably the catch of the day on a back-shoulder red-zone throw from Dak Prescott. This battle is shaping up to be a heated one as training camp powers on. (Nick Harris)
- One thing that is very noticeable even with the pads off, is the new look for tight end Peyton Hendershot. The third-year tight end has trimmed down, looking more like a wide receiver. And it was evident in some of his route-running as Hendershot found himself open on a couple of routes in the team and 7-on-7 drills. (Nick Eatman)
- Caelen Carson shined in his first practice. Mostly in 7-on-7 reps, the rookie cornerback stayed sticky in coverage and batted down a couple passes on the boundary. Was a key contributor on a good day for the defensive backs. (Youmans)
- Speaking of players who've earned their way back onto the field after a torn ACL, count John Stephens Jr. in as another and, like Overshown, the young tight end has also put on muscle mass during his recovery. His routes looked good and his hands did as well, though it appears he might need a few practices to get back to the form we saw when he was tearing up training camp in 2023 — as far as the quickness in his breaks are concerned. With added weight comes learning how to move it. (Walker)
- The Mazi Smith Spectacle will be one to keep an eye on during training camp, as fans start to ask about his physical readiness arriving in Oxnard. Smith looks comfortably over 300 pounds, which is a positive development considering it appeared he fell under that weight late last season before having offseason shoulder surgery. He got all of the first-team reps at the 1-Tech spot on defense, as he looks to solidify that spot going into year two. (Nick Harris)
- For the second year in a row, it appears that we're going to see a heavy dose of Deuce Vaughn in practice. And in this setting, he should be pretty good – and he was on Thursday. He's going to be quick and agile and find room in the defense. Sure, they weren't tackling but Vaughn was moving well in space and seems like he'll have a solid role, especially in the passing game. (Nick Eatman)
- You're about to sense a theme here with me: I was eyeing those returning from injury to gauge their progress. Luke Schoonmaker fell upon my list of must-see players on Thursday, having missed some of the offseason program with a hamstring issue. It didn't look as if he was favoring it at all in 7-on-7 drills, and the inside seam route he caught from Dak Prescott provided evidence that the former second-round pick is back to full health — needing only to stay that way to have a chance at making an impact. (Walker)
- Two plays on defense that stood out included a strong pass breakup from Donovan Wilson during 7-on-7 action that drew some fanfare from the crowd in attendance and an interception from rookie undrafted linebacker Jason Johnson on a tipped checkdown from Trey Lance to Deuce Vaughn that Vaughn couldn't corral. (Nick Harris)
- Dak tested the deep ball multiple times in the first practice. He delivered a great throw to Brandin Cooks deep down the left sideline that was dropped. Another snap he threw one into the breadbasket for Tyron Billy-Johnson for a big gain through double-coverage. (Youmans)
