The Cowboys will wrap up the preseason with the third game, but the first at home in 2024 when they take on the LA Chargers.
Here are the players we'll be watching Saturday afternoon at AT&T Stadium:
Nick Harris:
Trey Lance - The final rehearsal for Trey Lance's preseason campaign awaits, and it's expected to be even lengthier than his previous two exhibition excursions this month with Mike McCarthy saying earlier in the week that Lance playing the entire game is on the table. But for Lance, pushing the ball downfield, making special plays with his athleticism and keeping the ball clean (0 turnovers in two preseason games) will be important for him to offer some confidence going into the year. I think QB2 is off the table at this point, but showing that he can be a capable body if needed during the season will be important coming out of this one.
Deuce Vaughn - The running back room is in desperate need of a jolt, and Deuce Vaughn offered some optimism with his performance in Las Vegas that gave shades of his time as an elusive playmaker at Kansas State. If he can build on that performance, Vaughn can stamp a roster spot in a running back room that still has a lot of sorting out to do -- both inside the building and out. Expect him to see increased touches in the running and receiving game as the staff continues to evaluate a depleted position group.
Kemon Hall - A 69-yard pick-six put Kemon Hall's name on the map last week, but was it enough to earn a roster spot? He is certainly starting to push names like Eric Scott Jr. and Israel Mukuamu onto the bubble, and another eye-catching performance against the Chargers could help him rise into the final few spots up for grabs on the 53-man roster.
Nick Eatman:
Brevyn Spann-Ford – Something has to give with this tight end position. You know Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker are on this team. John Stephens has to be on there, right? But then there's Spann-Ford and even Peyton Hendershot, who had been hurt but had some nice practices last week. But I just know how excited they were in adding Spann-Ford after the draft, thinking they had a steal. If you look at him, he's one you want to get off the bus first because he looks the part. At 6-7, he's going to be even more of a problem for defenders once he gets the hang of it. I want to see if he can play his way onto the roster, if he's not already there.
Julius Wood – The Cowboys have a lot of depth at safety, but if Wood is good enough to make it, he will. He just flashes in the games, and that's not a bad thing. He caught an interception in the first one and then had some nice hits last week in Vegas. Guys like that are typically good on special teams. And that's where he can really stand out Saturday with a big game against the Chargers.
Buddy Johnson - Another position that won't be easy to trim down is linebacker. Right now, I would think there's a tight race between Nick Vigil, Willie Harvey and Buddy Johnson. That's not to say they keep just one, or any at all for that matter. But when you try and cut the roster down, thinking how the Cowboys might do it, a guy like Johnson seems right on the edge. He's been very active in the games and another special teams standout. Let's see if the ball can find him on Saturday. A turnover and/or a big sack or tackle for loss could help him stick around.
