One thing is for certain for the Dallas Cowboys, second-year running back Jaydon Blue is on a mission to be a contributor after a rough rookie campaign. Linebackers DeMarvion Overshown and rookie Jaishawn Barham are having good training camps, and the versatility of both will be used a lot in 2026
Christian Parker is gearing up for his first year of calling plays as a defensive coordinator, and according to him, his unit is taking the right steps. Ryan Flournoy is the WR3 in Dallas, but he’s poised to elevate his play this year
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Here’s your Cowboys’ news for Thursday
Cowboys’ Jaydon Blue understands his Year 2 assignment: ‘I took the lessons to heart’ – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com
Jaydon Blue had high expectations as a rookie, but things didn’t go as planned for multiple reasons. Now, he’s ready to be a difference maker in 2026
“I’m just [focused on] stacking these good days out here,” said Blue, following the second Cowboys’ padded practice in which he shined again. “I’ve just been more intentional. Like I said, this offseason, my main priority was making sure that I stayed in the playbook and was doing things that the coach was asking me to do.”
Cowboys MLB DeMarvion Overshown has rave reviews for new DC Christian Parker at training camp – SportsDay Staff, Dallas Morning News
Christian Parker has a lot of support in his defensive coordinator position, but it is his first year calling plays. However, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown says believe the hype
DeMarvion Overshown:”He’s a competitor, just like us. He feels like he’s putting on a helmet and shoulder pads as well when we come out here to get ready for practice. In meeting rooms, he’s challenging us to know what the rest of the defense is doing, like he wants everyone to be able to think like they’re a coach out there
What stood out after Cowboys’ padded practices? 2 players who could elevate the offense – Jon Machota, The Athletic
The Cowboys have one of the top offenses in the NFL. It may be even better this season if a few players take a leap
Everyone knows the importance of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens to Dallas’ passing game. But Flournoy has shown that he’s ready to build on what he did after his breakout performance in Week 5 last year against the New York Jets. In 16 games last season, Flournoy had 40 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns. He’s got a chance to be closer to the 700-800 yard range this season as Dallas’ clear No. 3 wide receiver
Christian Parker pleased with Cowboys defense’s progress early in training camp – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com
The Cowboys had one of the worst defenses in team history in 2025. This prompted them to hire Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator, and things are running smoothly so far in training camp
“I think we’re embracing the play style that we want to stay with,” Parker said. “I think guys are really just trying to harp on the details and get the next level of knowledge to the defense that we’re really focusing on. We talked about getting your undergraduate degree in OTAs, and now we’re working towards our masters. That’s more of an accelerated program, so we’ve got to get going quick. The guys are doing a great job.”
It looks like the Dallas Cowboys have a secret pass rushing weapon, and they’re showing it in training camp – Mauricio Rodriguez, AtoZ Sports
Dallas didn’t blitz linebacker DeMarvion Overshown that much last season like they did in 2024 under Mike Zimmer. Christian Parker wants to take advantage of that part of his game again
There’s still plenty to figure out with Overshown. The biggest question remains whether he can play middle linebacker with the physicality the position requires. Can he take on climbing offensive linemen at the second level, something far more common at MIKE than at weakside linebacker where he had more open space to operate? There was a play earlier this week where left tackle Tyler Guyton climbed to the second level and swallowed Overshown whole. That part of his game remains to be answered
But one thing is clear: Overshown as a blitzer is back
Cowboys rookie Jaishawn Barham’s versatility becoming a ‘cheat code’ for Christian Parker – Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News
Jaishawn Barham has done a nice job making himself known at training camp. He played both linebacker and edge at Michigan, and defensive coordinator Christian Parker is salivating over he’s versatility
“Him playing both is one of his cheat codes that he has,” Parker said. “He’s played equal amount of snaps almost at Maryland and Michigan [at inside linebacker], so he’s been exposed to it. So it’s not like he’s seeing things that he hasn’t seen before from that perspective. … I think that he is a fast processor.”
Daily discussion question:How much will you watch of the HOF game?
