OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys are fully into the swing of things at camp. More than a week since they arrived, the team had yet another full-padded practice on Wednesday.
Here are some of the top observations from practice:
- - Israel Mukuamu had a strong day of practice with two interceptions on back-to-back plays in 7-on-7 action, as he stacked some solid confidence going deeper into camp. This is a big training camp for the fourth-year defensive back out of South Carolina as he looks to find his role in a secondary group that has had an influx of youth since he's arrived in Dallas. (Nick Harris)
- Brock Hoffman had yet another strong day manning down the middle of the Cowboys offensive line at center. His shotgun snaps are consistent, his anchor digs into the grass and his reach in the run game allowed for some big running lanes. Hoffman continues his strong start to camp as he fights to keep positioning atop the center battle. (Nick Harris)
- It's early, but it's beginning to look as if the Cowboys may have found another gem from the spring league. Willie Harvey Jr. was added to the roster ahead of training camp and he's getting his feet beneath him very quickly. The reigning UFL leader in tackles had his best day thus far on Wednesday, one that saw him shutting down rushing attempts in the red zone and also grabbing an interception after warning Trey Lance to not throw his way. After the INT, he let Lance know, unequivocally, that the INT wasn't at threat — it was a promise. - (Patrik Walker)
- Another day, another strong outing for Dak Prescott as QB1 fired dart after dart into tight windows in both red zone work and 11-on-11 2-minute drill work. He found multiple receivers for touchdowns including Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin and more. The confidence he's building with other receivers in CeeDee Lamb's absence has been huge for the offensive unit. (Nick Harris)
- The first big scuffle of camp occurred in a red-zone drill when rookie tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford and cornerback Caelen Carson got locked up after the play. Neither wanted to give in and the play continued on after the play, forcing nearly 30 players and coaches to jump in and try to stop the fight. It didn't seem to have any lasting effects and there were no injuries, but it just proved to be an example of the intensity that occurs when the pads come on. – (Nick Eatman)
- Speaking of stout defense from a linebacker, Damone Clark got in on the party alongside Harvey on Wednesday. Clark was a machine in the way he attacked the run gaps to get hands on Ezekiel Elliott and others, and when tasked with chasing down Rico Dowdle on at least one play (a pitch to the left). Also showing some prowess in coverage, the biggest takeaway from Clark's day is that the presence of other actual linebackers could unlock his own ability to change games; seeing as each of the LBs were playing off of the assignment of the other and not doubting they'd be where they were supposed to be. The rest handled itself. - (Patrik Walker)
- After two dropped passes early in practice, Jalen Brooks turned it around and continued to have a great training camp. Brooks caught several passes in team drills, including a bullet pass from Dak Prescott for a touchdown, and then later caught a pass just inches off the ground to extend a drive during two-minute drills. – (Nick Eatman)
- Trey Lance continues to have a mixed bag at camp, and he'd love to either forget Wednesday ever happened or to lean into his mistakes fully to figure out what went wrong. Entering camp with a lot of confidence, his latest practice was headlined by two interceptions — Willie Harvey Jr. and Israel Mukuamu — and some errant passes both middle deep and deep downfield. Cooper Rush has tossed them as well against Mike Zimmer's defense, but the difference is Lance is trying to beat out Rush and not the other way around. - (Patrik Walker)
