OXNARD, CA – The Dallas Cowboys had a lighter practice on Wednesday morning after having two full days in pads. The team had a mock game but it was more styled like a walkthrough. There were no pads involved and only the QB’s and the selected defenders wore helmets.
We spoke with Ezekiel Elliott post practice and he told us, “We had two long days in pads, today was more about the mental game and giving our bodies a rest.”
Mike McCarthy has harped on this the entire off season, he believes in player health management and he does not want to overwork his players and potentially cause injuries that they don’t need. Today’s practice was shortened and very dialed down to give the guys some rest.
We got to speak with the special teams coordinator Jim Fassel post practice and he addressed the issue at kicker that everyone has been seeing all throughout training camp. He said he is having Jonathon Garibay and Lirim Hajrullahu kick in the two scrimmages that they have scheduled for next week. He said there is specific time put aside for them to be able to kick in game-like situations.
Tuesday both kickers went 1-of-6 and they did not produce the way everyone wanted them too. Vessel said that they struggled due to the winds but that can’t make or break them. He said there is going to be winds in some games that they play and with wind or not they have to make the kicks.
Fassel also talked about the excitement with Kavontae Turpin. Turpin will most likely be Dallas’s punt returner for the season. Fassel stated, “He’s been on my radar since 2018. I watched all of his returns at TCU and I am not worried about lack of size and his 156 lbs.”
Fassel said, “I’m very excited. I’m very excited… I have high aspirations for him.” Practice will resume Thursday.
