{"id":410525,"date":"2026-08-19T05:14:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T05:14:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/410525\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T05:14:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T05:14:16","slug":"what-we-learned-at-cowboys-saints-joint-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/410525\/","title":{"rendered":"What we learned at Cowboys-Saints joint practice"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n

OXNARD, Calif. \u2014 In the last two practices, the\u00a0Dallas Cowboys<\/a> made switches with their second-team offensive line.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The biggest takeaway from this is the play of starting right tackle Terence Steele.<\/p>\n

Cowboys coach Brian\u00a0Schottenheimer said after Tuesday\u2019s fight-filled practice against the Saints<\/a> that Steele needs to find a level of consistency.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

The Cowboys moved\u00a0Nate Thomas from left tackle to right tackle on the second team so that if Steele\u2019s work doesn\u2019t improve, someone will be ready to take over.<\/p>\n

Thomas was practicing at left tackle on the second team but switched sides with rookie Drew Shelton.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese guys have to be able to swing and so we want to give Nate a chance to work over that right tackle,\u201d Schottenheimer said. \u201cSteele has got to play a little bit more consistent. He has had a couple days where he\u2019s 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\u2019s not the only position. That\u2019s the only one you guys asked me about. So that\u2019s the only one I\u2019m going to speak to.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cowboys also moved\u00a0T.J. Bass from center to right guard with Nick Leverett replacing him. Also, Trevor Keegan got work at left guard with the second team.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s doing a nice job,\u201d Schottenheimer said of Leverett\u2019s move to center. \u201cHe\u2019s doing very good. And good command, good control. And he\u2019s earned more reps with the twos.\u201d<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Steele is the Cowboys\u2019 longest-tenured offensive linemen. In the offseason he took a pay cut to create $13 million in salary cap space<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

He has not missed a game in the last three seasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The offensive line shuffling doesn\u2019t mean Steele\u2019s job is on the line, but\u00a0Schottenheimer isn\u2019t afraid to send a message to his players who are not performing to a high standard.<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"New<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"New<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"New<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News\"Dallas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n

Downs gets ready for opener<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a possibility Cowboys first-round pick Caleb Downs will not face another opponent until Week 1 of the regular season.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Downs played seven snaps in the preseason opener at Seattle<\/a>. He participated in the joint practices against the Rams and the Saints. Now it seems the Downs will miss the final two preseason games.<\/p>\n

Coach Brian\u00a0Schottenheimer said a final decision hasn\u2019t been made regarding Downs\u2019 playing status.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Related: Cowboys camp observations: Joint practice with Saints very chippy, filled with fights<\/a><\/p>\n

Against the Saints, Downs had a tackle for loss and gave up a touchdown while covering receiver Chris\u00a0Olave. Downs also gave up a reception near the sideline while covering\u00a0Olave. Downs presented tight coverage on both plays.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s great. It goes into the same conversation we\u2019ve had with past rushers against tackles,\u201d Schottenheimer said. \u201cI thought he\u2019s 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\u2019s going to battle. And I thought all in all he did pretty well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Jersey talk<\/p>\n

Just before the stretching period, both teams wore white practice jerseys. So the Cowboys had to put blue jerseys on their defensive players.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Saints, meanwhile, placed black jerseys on their defensive players. Some of the Saints’ jerseys didn\u2019t have numbers or names on the back.<\/p>\n

Both offenses wore white jerseys.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Health updates<\/p>\n

\u2014 Backup running back Jaydon Blue missed practice with a shoulder injury. Malik Davis got work with the second team with Blue out.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u00a0Tight end Michael Trigg (toe) and defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard (abs\/groin) missed practice as well. Cornerback Zion Childress was limited.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Terence Steele (left) works against defensive lineman Rashan Gary during a training camp practice…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":410526,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[102,104,103],"class_list":["post-410525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-dallas","tag-dallas","tag-dallas-headlines","tag-dallas-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=410525"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410525\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/410526"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=410525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=410525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=410525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}