Dallas Cowboys: Training camp stock report

The Dallas Cowboys held their annual Blue vs. White scrimmage Sunday afternoon in Oxnard. That signals the midway point of their time in California. The Cowboys will face the San Francisco 49ers Saturday night in their first preseason game. The reviews from Cowboys camp to this point have been mostly positive.

The Cowboys will return to Frisco for practice August 20^th-August 27^th.

Quick training camp notes

Ezekiel Elliott still has not reported for camp. There is no timetable on when he will report. August 6^th was believed to be an important date, but because Elliott has a fifth-year option, that will not affect Elliott until next offseason, if he holds out again. Elliott is currently in Cabo training.

The Cowboys appear to be comfortable with the backs they do have in camp with rookie running back Tony Pollard drawing rave reviews. “If he continues to get better and better, I think you are going to see a guy that plays early for the Cowboys,” Jerry Jones said.

Amari Cooper has missed the last two practices with a heel injury. The injury is not believed to be serious but the team is reportedly going to do some type of scan to confirm.

Zack Martin had an MRI on his back during the weekend. The scan showed some irritation with a disk in his spine. Like Cooper, Martins injury isn’t believed to be serious. “We’ll give it some time to calm down a little bit,” Martin said. I don’t expect to see Martin in a game until the regular-season opener September 8th, which may have been the case without the injury.  

Sean Lee is nursing a sprained MCL. Again, this is not believed to be serious but with Lee, the Cowboys are expected to put Lee in bubble wrap until the regular season.

STOCK UP

Xavier Woods                                     

There is not much of a question on who is off to the best start in Cowboys camp. Xavier Woods is entering year 3 and is showing signs of taking a major leap. Woods has shown the ability to go get the ball with three interceptions so far during camp.

“I think he’s going to be one of the best safeties,” Jones said.

Jones went on to say when he ran into Woods before the draft, Woods would ask him “Why are you so worried about safety? I can do it.”

Maliek Collins

The only name that has been mentioned with Woods as far as “best camp” is Maliek Collins. There has never been a question with the talent Collins possesses but a variety of injuries has kept him off the field.

So far, Collins is healthy and appears to be motivated to be a force on the defensive line along with Robert Quinn and Demarcus Lawrence, once Lawrence gets back on the field. Collins is in a contract year so Collins is playing for his future.

Reggie Davis

Reggie Davis is a name that a lot of people have not heard of. Davis went undrafted in 2017 and signed with the Cowboys practice squad in November of 2018. He is competing for one of the final three receiver spots.

The Cowboys have three guys at the receiver position that will undoubtedly be on the team with Cooper, Michael Gallup and Randall Cobb. Davis has had a strong camp along with rookie receiver Jon’Vea Johnson.

Davis’ ability to play on special teams is a huge plus for him and could spell the end for Tavon Austin. As it stands right now, I expect Davis to be on the 53 man roster.

STOCK DOWN

Taco Charlton

I am sure you are well aware of Taco Charlton’s’ struggles so far during his short career. It doesn’t help that the Cowboys passed on TJ Watt to take Taco in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. The struggles have continued during training camp and Taco is no guarantee to make the final 53 man roster.

Before camp, scouting director Will McClay said that Taco would have to prove he belongs on the roster and the Cowboys weren’t going to “hold the train for him.”

Brett Maher

Brett Maher’s’ job as the Cowboys field goal kicker remains to be on shaky grounds. We have talked through the spring and into the start of camp that his job could be in question and while he hasn’t been terrible, he hasn’t been anywhere near-automatic either.

To go with that point, Maher missed a 32-yard game-winning kick during the Blue vs. White scrimmage Sunday. If Maher does lose his job, the Cowboys will most likely be looking outside of the organization for their replacement. Kasey Redfern, who is the other kicker in camp hasn’t been any more consistent.