Keys From The Cowboys’ Practice Field On Tuesday
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys practiced outdoors on Tuesday for the first time since returning from California and the shift in climate was evident in North Texas. Temperatures reached the upper 90s and players adjusted to the impact of the harsher heat. Mike McCarthy will likely schedule more outdoor practices this week in an attempt to acclimate the squad to the humid conditions they will face in Week 1 against the defending Super Bowl champions in Tampa Bay. Here are some observations from the Cowboys’ practice field:
- For the first time this offseason, Cooper Rush received first-team reps. Following his two-touchdown performance against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Mike McCarthy emphasized that Rush would get to work with the starters during the week. Once again, Rush looked poised and decisive in the pocket. Late in practice, he hit Amari Cooper on a deep back shoulder pass just out of reach for Trevon Diggs. His chemistry with tight ends continued. Rush connected with Blake Jarwin down the seam for a large gain and found Dalton Schultz on an out-route.
- Dallas has quickly thinned in the secondary. Both safeties Malik Hooker and Israel Mukuamu are currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Starting strong safety Donovan Wilson exited practice early due to a sore groin and starting free safety Damontae Kazee was not in attendance. Jayron Kearse and Darian Thompson received first-team reps in their absence.
- Anthony Brown came away with a pass breakup. Michael Gallup, Rush’s intended target, initially created some cushion at the top of his slant route but Brown gained traction and closing speed as the ball arrived. Brown was able to knock the ball out of Gallup’s hands from behind. A physical play by the third-year cornerback.
- The staff continues to increase Dak Prescott’s volume of throws; however, most of the increased capacity is not done in front of media. During individual drills, Prescott launched a 25-yard pass towards the sideline with a good amount of air/velocity behind it.
On Prescott’s availability for Week 1, owner and general manager Jerry Jones remarked on 105.3 The Fan, “He’s there. I’d like for him to have this week of practice just to get ready to play Tampa, but of course we’ve got two weeks or two and a half weeks. But the bottom line is he’s there. Everything that we’re doing to mitigate any needless, as far as what it gains us, everything we can do to be extra careful about any issues he has are just not worth the gain out here at practice to not give him the rest. And that’s not uncommon. That’s very common for muscle pulls, soft tissue type injury to give it some rest. So, that’s what we’re doing. When he wants to right now, he can let it go.” - Perhaps the most noteworthy play of the day came at the end of the two-hour session. In the two-minute drill, Rush saw Amari Cooper on an island with Trevon Diggs down the sideline. He launched a perfectly timed throw and Cooper was able to adjust in stride and create enough separation to haul in the pass over his back shoulder for the touchdown. The last time Cooper ran a deep route was Week 17 against the New York Giants. He has gradually progressed to running a full route tree and seeing 19 run a go-route full-speed was the highlight of the day.
