Dallas Cowboys

Jaydon Blue

RB

Blue shook off the shoulder issue that had led to a pair of absences and limited participation in the last three practices prior to Saturday's game, leading the Cowboys in rush attempts and rushing yards on the night. Blue has seen 25 total touches over the first two preseason games as head coach Brian Schottenheimer gives the second-year back a long look in the competition for the No. 2 running back role. While Blue's performance Saturday was certainly impressive, fellow backs Malik Davis and Phil Mafah also had some standout plays, and the competition therefore may remain unsettled until the conclusion of Friday's home preseason finale against the Saints.

Malik Davis

RB

The fourth-year pro was the first Cowboys running back to log a touch and gained 25 of his rushing yards on the opening possession. Davis then capped off a short-field second possession following an interception with his eight-yard touchdown reception on a pass from Joe Milton. Davis' competition for the No. 2 role behind Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, both had impressive moments as well Saturday, so the pecking order and roster status of the trio is likely to be decided during Friday's home preseason matchup against the Saints.

Julius Wood

S

Wood spent some time in the blue medical tent before being taken to the locker room for tests. He will be held out for the rest of Saturday's game, and he'll have to clear the league's five-step concussion protocol in order to be available for Friday's preseason finale against the Saints.

Zion Childress

CB

The safety suffered the injury during the first week of training camp, missed over two weeks and then came back a few days ago for non-contact drills. Childress appeared in three regular-season games for Dallas a year ago, seeing more action on special teams than defense. He's likely competing for a backup and special-teams role again in 2026.

Joe Milton III

QB

Milton drew the start and immediately led the Cowboys on a 12-play, 66-yard march that ended on downs at the Cardinals' 12-yard line. However, Dallas got the ball back three plays later thanks to an interception, and Milton cashed in on the short field with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Malik Davis. The strong-armed third-year pro then connected with Jonathan Mingo on a perfectly thrown 53-yard scoring strike down the left side of the field the next time he had the ball, and Milton would run it in himself from a yard out to cap off the following possession. He'd subsequently lead the Cowboys to three more points to finish out his stellar first half, and Milton may have already locked in the No. 2 quarterback job over Sam Howell with Friday's preseason finale at home against the Saints still to be played.