The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams will share the practice field in Oxnard on Tuesday for a high-stakes joint preseason practice.
Dallas will participate in just one joint practice throughout the entire postseason, which has become a trend following the 2022 season, in which the Cowboys took on both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles before facing the two teams in the preseason.
This workout marks the lone time this summer that the Cowboys will train alongside another NFL team before the regular season begins, raising anticipation as coaches and players pursue competitive reps leading into final roster decisions.
While many of the players on the Cowboys roster have already secured their spot for the regular season, this practice will allow many of the players fighting for roster and depth chart spots to demonstrate their value.
Dallas will be largely focused on sharpening schemes and evaluating various standouts who are looking to make the roster.
Emerging talents such as rookie quarterback Joe Milton and cornerback Kaiir Elam are also drawing attention. They will be tested by new opponents, providing the opportunity for each of these players to secure their spot on the depth chart.
Meanwhile, the Rams enter this practice without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is sidelined with a back injury, meaning veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to take the majority of first-team snaps for Los Angeles.
Los Angeles will have two total joint practices this season, with the team also scheduled to visit the Chargers for a practice on August 13.
This practice should help the Cowboys prepare for the beginning of the preseason this weekend, with the team scheduled to take on the Rams on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Following this matchup against Los Angeles, the Cowboys will take on the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, August 16, at 6 p.m. and the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, August 22, at 7 p.m.
These matchups will just be a warmup and opportunity for the Cowboys to determine which players are best suited for the 53-man roster before the regular season, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 4 at 7:20 p.m. against the Philadelphia Eagles.