The Dallas Cowboys kicked off their Hall of Fame preseason matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 16-3 loss. While the majority of the starters did not play, the Cowboys’ rookies played meaningful snaps on both offense and defense.
Yes, the team only managed to put up three points through four quarters. But at least one player stood out and showed glimpses of how effective they can be in the running game.
Rookie defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa was constantly in the backfield on numerous occasions in running and passing situations. Odighizuwa is listed at 280 pounds, which is undersized for the position, but plays like he is 300 pounds.
Odighizuwa played the most snaps (51) of any defensive player for Dallas and recorded two pressures, two hurries, and a tackle for loss on 25 pass-rush plays showing how disruptive he can be.
The Cowboys drafted Odighizuwa with the first of the three third-round draft picks (75th overall) to add to the defense that new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn wants to run. With second-year defensive tackle Neville Gallimore cemented himself as the starter, Odighizuwa can set his sights on the backup and rotation if he continues to make plays over these next three preseason games.
The player on the bottom of the depth chart or off the roster is defensive tackle Trysten Hill who is still rehabbing from a torn ACL injury. Hill no longer has a sponsor as Rod Marinelli stepped down as the team’s defensive coordinator after the 2019 season.
The more time Hill misses gives players such as Odighizuwa and backup tackle Carlos Watkins better chances to make the roster.
At the moment there has not been much talk about Hill and his recovery process, nor does the coaching staff speak about his spot on the roster. We will have to wait until the team decides on roster cuts after the first wave begins on August 17th.
Odighizuwa will make the roster unless he struggles to produce over the next few games but so far the lights do not seem to be too bright for the rookie.
The great thing is we have three more preseason games to watch and see how all of this plays out at the defensive tackle position. For now, Hill’s status is up in the air but hopefully, he can get back on the field to show Quinn and his coaching staff he can be a nice contribution to the defense as Odighizuwa comes knocking on the door.
