Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Terence Steele (left) works against defensive lineman Rashan Gary during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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OXNARD, Calif. — In the last two practices, the Dallas Cowboys made switches with their second-team offensive line.
The biggest takeaway from this is the play of starting right tackle Terence Steele.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said after Tuesday’s fight-filled practice against the Saints that Steele needs to find a level of consistency.
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The Cowboys moved Nate Thomas from left tackle to right tackle on the second team so that if Steele’s work doesn’t improve, someone will be ready to take over.
Thomas was practicing at left tackle on the second team but switched sides with rookie Drew Shelton.
“These guys have to be able to swing and so we want to give Nate a chance to work over that right tackle,” Schottenheimer said. “Steele has got to play a little bit more consistent. He has had a couple days where he’s been, a little bit, dropping his pads and getting edged a little bit. He needs to be better. And we want to see Drew Shelton play left tackle. So that’s not the only position. That’s the only one you guys asked me about. So that’s the only one I’m going to speak to.”
The Cowboys also moved T.J. Bass from center to right guard with Nick Leverett replacing him. Also, Trevor Keegan got work at left guard with the second team.
“He’s doing a nice job,” Schottenheimer said of Leverett’s move to center. “He’s doing very good. And good command, good control. And he’s earned more reps with the twos.”
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Steele is the Cowboys’ longest-tenured offensive linemen. In the offseason he took a pay cut to create $13 million in salary cap space. Steele signed a restructured deal that guarantees him $22 million over the next three seasons. He was scheduled to make as much as $46 million but now can get up to $33 million in the restructured contract.
He has not missed a game in the last three seasons.
The offensive line shuffling doesn’t mean Steele’s job is on the line, but Schottenheimer isn’t afraid to send a message to his players who are not performing to a high standard.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ronnie Bell (11) is pulled down in a scrum with Dallas Cowboys players as they tussle during a training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller has his helmet adjusted during a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller takes the field for a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller works with pass rush consultant B.T. Jordan during a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller (40) talks with head coach Brian Schottenheimer as he stretches during a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott lines up for a snap behind center Cooper Beebe during a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) tosses the ball to running back Javonte Williams (33) during a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws a pass during a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith (73) and tight end DJ Rogers (49) tussle with New Orleans Saints players after running back Javonte Williams (33) was tossed to the grownd during a training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sam Williams (54) grabs the face mask of New Orleans Saints tight end Moliki Matavao (80) as the teams tussle during a training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caelen Carson grabs the face mask of New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner (89) as the teams tussle during a training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (0) tries to pull teammates Sam Williams (54) off of New Orleans Saints tight end Moliki Matavao (80) as the teams tussle during a training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku (6) is escorted off the field by director of security Cable Johnson after being removed from a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints after participating in a fight on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sam Williams (54) wrestles with New Orleans Saints tight end Moliki Matavao (80) as the teams tussle during a training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Derion Kendrick (15) has his helmet pulled off by New Orleans Saints wide receivers Trey Palmer and Ronnie Bell as the teams tussle during a training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ronnie Bell is carted off the field after being injured during a joint training camp practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore (right) and Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker calling plays during a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Cobie Durant (2) breaks up a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ronnie Bell (11) as Cowboys defensive back Reddy Steward (27) comes in for the interception during a training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens celebrates a touchdown catch during a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller (40) watches from the sidelines with pass rush consultant B.T. Jordan during a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) makes a catch Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs (13) during a training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Langston Patterson (47) pulls down New Orleans Saints running back CJ Donaldson (43) during a training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) celebrates a touchdown catch with Brevyn Spann-Ford during a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones watches from the sidelines during a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller waves to fans following a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller signs autographs following a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller signs autographs following a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller waves to fans following a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller takes a selfie with fans and a New Orleans Saints player after during a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Downs gets ready for opener
There’s a possibility Cowboys first-round pick Caleb Downs will not face another opponent until Week 1 of the regular season.
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Downs played seven snaps in the preseason opener at Seattle. He participated in the joint practices against the Rams and the Saints. Now it seems the Downs will miss the final two preseason games.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said a final decision hasn’t been made regarding Downs’ playing status.
Related: Cowboys camp observations: Joint practice with Saints very chippy, filled with fights
Against the Saints, Downs had a tackle for loss and gave up a touchdown while covering receiver Chris Olave. Downs also gave up a reception near the sideline while covering Olave. Downs presented tight coverage on both plays.
“I think it’s great. It goes into the same conversation we’ve had with past rushers against tackles,” Schottenheimer said. “I thought he’s going up against another elite receiver and I thought he was in some tight coverages. I think I saw Chris make one incredible catch on him, but Caleb’s going to battle. And I thought all in all he did pretty well.”
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Jersey talk
Just before the stretching period, both teams wore white practice jerseys. So the Cowboys had to put blue jerseys on their defensive players.
The Saints, meanwhile, placed black jerseys on their defensive players. Some of the Saints’ jerseys didn’t have numbers or names on the back.
Both offenses wore white jerseys.
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Health updates
— Backup running back Jaydon Blue missed practice with a shoulder injury. Malik Davis got work with the second team with Blue out.
— Tight end Michael Trigg (toe) and defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard (abs/groin) missed practice as well. Cornerback Zion Childress was limited.