The Dallas Cowboys open their three-game preseason slate Sunday in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams (3:25 p.m. CDT; NFL Community), providing a chance for younger gamers to make their case for a job and inching the crew towards significant soccer.
Particular tv and streaming information for the competition is at this hyperlink, and under, you’ll discover extra particulars in regards to the sport.
Betting line: Cowboys (-4.5)
Over/Below whole: 34.5 (through FanDuel)
Location: Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California
Forecast: 80 levels, sunny, 10 miles per hour winds, zero p.c likelihood of precipitation (Climate.com)
Three storylines to observe:
1) Roster battles
If the Cowboys select to maintain simply two quarterbacks on their regular-season roster, will the backup be Trey Lance or Cooper Rush? Which end-of-the-roster broad receivers or cornerbacks will earn jobs with the crew? Can a working again like Royce Freeman, Malik Davis or fan-favorite Deuce Vaughn separate themselves from the pack?
Preseason video games aren’t the one sources of proof the Cowboys will use to contemplate these questions and whittle their roster from 90 gamers to 53 over the subsequent few weeks, however they do characterize the publicly viewable portion of the competitions for spots. Buckle in.
2) Kickin’ concepts round
After the NFL instituted rule adjustments this offseason that reshaped the kickoff, the Cowboys and different groups across the league started crafting plans to adapt. Sunday, particular groups coach John Fassel, returner Kavontae Turpin and kicker Brandon Aubrey can have an opportunity for a take a look at run.
3) Welcome to the NFL moments
The Cowboys maintain hope that their 2024 draft class contains gamers able to contribute from Day 1. First-round choose Tyler Guyton and third-rounder Cooper Beebe will push for enjoying time on the offensive line, whereas third-round linebacker Marist Liufau has his sights set on a beginning spot.
And maybe no rookie has a bigger alternative to assist the crew than Marshawn Kneeland. The second-round defensive finish from Western Michigan was positioned to supply invaluable pass-rushing depth even earlier than the Cowboys misplaced Sam Williams to a season-ending knee damage. Now, he stands a vital member of the defensive finish rotation.
For Kneeland and all of the Cowboys’ rookies, preseason video games characterize an opportunity to make their case for giant roles on the crew — and to slide on Cowboys jerseys, step onto an NFL area throughout sport day and soak of their new actuality as professionals.