The Dallas Cowboys are set to take on the Seattle Seahawks Thursday night for the third preseason game of the season, which we all know is usually the game teams like to use as a dress rehearsal for their starters.
This could be a really exciting game to watch because there are several key players for the Cowboys that are set to make their 2016 NFL debut.
In recent years when the Cowboys and Seahawks face off against one another you can always expect a hard-fought battle between the two ball clubs. I don’t see any reason why we should expect anything different this time.
Below are the key Cowboys players that we could see for the first time in 2016 against the Seahawks.
Ezekiel Elliott
Dallas Cowboys fans have been chomping at the bit to see their coveted rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott see some action in the preseason. Unfortunately, a sore hamstring has not only kept him out of receiving valuable repetitions in practice, but preseason as well.
There is a silver lining to Elliott missing these first two preseason matchups, and that is we have all witnessed firsthand the impressive performance that Alfred Morris has been putting on. We definitely don’t need to worry about the running game in 2016 if Morris continues to impress and Elliott makes his way back to the field.
Fortunately, it looks as if we will finally get what we have been waiting for. Elliott has been running with the first team offense and should make his 2016 NFL debut against the Seattle Seahawks in third week of the preseason. It will be a steep test for the rookie RB, but I expect him to rise to the challenge.
Benson Mayowa
Benson Mayowa was one of the Dallas Cowboys few off-season signings and he was brought in to help with the pass rush for the Cowboys defense.
Unfortunately, he has been unable to do very much on the football field because he had his knee scoped before training camp kicked off.
Mayowa has made his way back to the practice field and it looks as if he should get some playing time in the Cowboys next preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. The Cowboys defense has performed better than expected in the first two preseason games, but Mayowa’s addition should only help boost the pass rush.
Keep an eye out for #93 against the Seahawks Thursday night.
Maliek Collins
Maliek Collins also missed all of training camp due to a broken foot he suffered in OTA’s. Collins looks to make his NFL debut against the Seattle Seahawks just like fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott.
Collins is projected to back up both Tyrone Crawford and Cedric Thornton in the middle the Cowboys defensive line. His injury was truly unfortunate because it has impacted his development and not allowed him to get accustomed to the speed of the NFL.
Much like Benson Mayowa, Maliek Collins should help improve the Cowboys pass rush, but if nothing else provide valuable depth along the defensive line.
Tyron Smith
Tyron Smith has missed the first two preseason games because the Dallas Cowboys were being cautious with him while he was recovering from a pinched nerve in his neck. It is nothing serious, but it’s something that the coaching staff wanted to be cautious with so that it doesn’t keep reoccurring throughout the season.
The Cowboys could decide to shelve Smith for the remaining preseason games, but I would personally like to see him lining up at left tackle against the Seattle Seahawks if Tony Romo is going to be playing quarterback.
Smith is back at practice working with the first team offense and I for one want to see him playing against Seattle because I would hate to see anything happen to Romo because the Cowboys decided to sit him.
Lance Dunbar
Lance Dunbar was just recently activated off of the PUP list, but he has already been seen in different offensive packages with both him and Ezekiel Elliott lining up in the backfield.
Honestly, I think it would be a stretch if we saw Dunbar receive much playing time after being activated so recently. The Cowboys already know what they have in Dunbar and know the role that he will probably play in 2016 if he sticks with the team.
If Dunbar is indeed in the plans for the 2016 season, I don’t think we will see him against the Seattle Seahawks or at all in the preseason. There is just too much risk of injury and very little reward. But, it is encouraging knowing that he is fully healed from his knee injury.
Which Dallas Cowboys player are you looking forward to seeing make their 2016 NFL debut?
Please feel free to use the comment section below to provide your thoughts and opinions on this topic.
Charles Tapper sighting?? Anyone??
I don’t think he’s going to be making his NFL debut against the Seahawks. I haven’t heard of him practicing very much if at all this week. I find this concern because he needs all the repetitions he can get and the defense could sure use more pass rushers. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Jeff.