Ladies and gentlemen, we have finally arrived. The Dallas Cowboys suited up and had their first training camp practice of the offseason on Thursday in Oxnard, California.
Yesterday was also the last Thursday of the year that will not feature an NFL game. It might still be 100+ degrees in Texas, but start getting your bodies ready for fall football classics.
Prior to the first practice, physicals were held for all players to ensure they were ready to go for the season.
Trevon Diggs was placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, recovering from a torn ACL suffered before the Cowboys’ week 3 matchup in Arizona, while he continues to rehab.
He is expected to make his return sooner rather than later, but several other players did not suffer the same fate. Five other previously injured players were cleared by the team doctors to participate fully at the start of training camp.
LB DeMarvion Overshown
Judging by the social media reactions from fans on Facebook and Twitter/X, DeMarvion Overshown is far and away the most exciting player to return to the field.
Overshown showed flashes of greatness last preseason before suffering a torn ACL in a preseason game at the Seattle Seahawks.
The injury was more devastating considering the Cowboys already lacked depth at the position.
Dallas was forced to adjust the defense even further once Leighton Vander Esch went down for what ended up being the last play of his career versus San Francisco in week 5.
Markquese Bell was officially moved to linebacker from the safety room in an effort to get more bodies at the position.
Overshown’s injury had a domino effect throughout the team, and ended up affecting the defense more than anyone could imagine.
With some more weight on him and now being cleared to practice, DeMarvion Overshown looks fast and explosive at the snap in just one day out on the field. He’s about to have a special season.
TE Luke Schoonmaker
Luke Schoonmaker, the much-maligned 2nd-round pick of the Cowboys in the 2023 NFL Draft, spent the offseason recovering from shoulder surgery and a strained hamstring.
His rookie season was nothing to write home about.
Schoonmaker came into the season with high expectations from fans considering the talent that was still available when the Cowboys selected him with the 58th overall pick. He was active for all 17 regular season games, but made minimal impact.
In 17 games, he caught just eight passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns. Dallas is counting on his development to be able to implement more 12 personnel packages to help improve the run game and play action pass plays.
TE John Stephens Jr.
Luke Schoonmaker’s job isn’t secure with undrafted free agent John Stephens Jr. in the fold.
Part of the reason Cowboys Nation was so upset with the Schoonmaker selection is because Stephens Jr. emerged as a viable weapon during training camp.
A former wide receiver, John Stephens Jr., showed his raw athleticism and play-making ability, exciting fans and team personnel alike. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in the preseason that deflated that excitement balloon in an instant.
Reports say Stephens Jr. has put on some healthy weight, bulking up from a wide receiver’s body into a more suitable build for a tight end.
I look forward to more good things from him this training camp. He will compete for a roster spot.
DT Osa Odighizuwa
Don’t be alarmed to see Osa Odighizuwa on this list. His injury was a hamstring strain that wasn’t considered serious, and he has been cleared for camp.
This is an important season for Odighizuwa.
He is in the final year of his rookie deal, and the only defensive coordinator he has played for has been the departed Dan Quinn.
I’m excited to see what he can do in a Mike Zimmer defense that has produced All-Pro talent from the 3-technique defensive tackle position. Names like La’Roi Glover and Sharrif Floyd come to mind.
Osa will look to add to his 7.0 career sacks.
WR David Durden
David Durden was a training camp darling last season before an ACL tear ended his dream early.
He showed quickness, agility, and sure hands before his injury. With a 6’2″ 200-pound build, Durden is a handful to bring down after the catch.
The Cowboys currently lack size at the top of the wide receiver depth chart. CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Jalen Tolbert all weigh in at less than 200 pounds.
If Durden is able to pick up where he left off last season, he could be a valuable asset to the offense as a possession receiver.