DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys will play their third and final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium. After being on the road for a month, the team is finally home and they get to sleep in their own beds as they prepare for Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers.
This exhibition contest should mirror the first two for the Cowboys, only with the stakes being higher for the players on the fringe of the roster. It’s the last time to make a good in-game impression for those involved in position battles as the competition nears its end.
Don’t expect to see quarterback Dak Prescott, pass rusher Micah Parsons, cornerback Trevon Diggs, or a whole host of other starters as the Cowboys look towards the regular season. Getting out of the preseason unscathed and without serious injuries is just as important as evaluating talent in this contest.
Dallas kicks off against Los Angeles at 3 p.m. CT. Here are a few things to watch for in the Week 3 preseason final:
QB Prescott as OC
Although he’s not going to play, veteran Dak Prescott might be front and center for the offense as play caller for a few series. Head coach Mike McCarthy said the coaches are discussing having Prescott call plays and act as offensive coordinator, just as he did last year in the final preseason game.
Prescott led the offense to a few touchdowns with the gig last season, but this year’s circumstances are a bit different. Backup QB Trey Lance is expected to get most of the snaps, and he needs this game to be taken seriously. The team has to see what they have in Lance, and if Prescott calls the plays, hopefully he’ll put forth a real effort to help his fellow signal caller.
It would be fun and could be a great bonding experience for McCarthy and Prescott, but Lance needs a sincere effort no matter who calls the plays.
Lance’s verdict
There was better execution from Lance in the Week 2 preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders, yet that felt like just the tip of the expected improvement iceberg. The Cowboys won’t play Prescott, and primary backup Cooper Rush might only see sparse playing time, leaving the majority of the action to Lance again.
A major storyline throughout camp has been about Lance proving what he can do, and he’ll get another chance to show how he’s grown since the beginning of summer. More improvement bodes well for the inexperienced QB, not only for the team’s investment, but also in case he’s needed during the season.
All eyes will be on Lance as he makes his final case to be an asset for the organization.
Can Flournoy continue his rise?
The top five wide receivers for Dallas seem set, but the last spot – if they keep six – comes down to a few options, including Ryan Flournoy. The rookie’s progress early in training camp was stunted because of injury, but he’s been steadily rising up the depth chart.
In the second preseason game, Flournoy had four catches and a score, which he backed up with a good week of practice.
If the sixth-round wideout can keep developing and shows more production in the third preseason game, he might be on his way to securing a roster spot. Few Cowboys have made a better impression recently than Flournoy, who’s athletic ability and skill set is starting to take over in the race for a spot in the receiver room.
Which offensive linemen earn their way?
A unit that was a weakness to begin this offseason, has turned into a strength. Dallas has the makings of a young, deep and talented offensive line that likely doesn’t have room for everyone that they’d love to keep when cuts come along.
The last few spots could be won in the Week 3 exhibition final with Josh Ball, Matt Waletzko, Nathan Thomas and T.J. Bass each competing for two or maybe three roster spots. Just how the Cowboys move around the pieces to find the best options for the regular season could be decided with how these offensive linemen perform in the game against the Chargers.
Tight ends and running backs
The Cowboys have gotten used to keeping four TEs on the roster, but this could be the year that they buck the trend. With the team likely to keep four running backs due to uncertainty at that position, it could affect how many TEs they keep. Hunter Luepke has been lining up at different spots on the offense, including at tight end, which implies that he’ll stick on the roster.
The other RBs who are guaranteed spots are Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, but the team likely carries another option. Does that final spot go to Royce Freeman, Malik Davis or Deuce Vaughn? The preseason final might sort the decision out.
Four at RB could come at the expense of the TE position. Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker are locks on the roster, but after that the team will have decisions to make.
Peyton Hendershot and John Stephens are the favorites, but Princeton Fant, Alec Holler and Brevyn Spann-Ford could make things interesting. They will all be battling for at least one place on the roster. Therefore, it will be exciting to watch how things play out to see just who steps up to fill out the TE depth. This will be the last chance at making an impression for a deep, but unsettled tight end group.
Which Cowboys will close out their preseason slate with a win against the Chargers? Share your predictions with Ben on X (formerly Twitter) @BenGrimaldi.
