Will the Cowboys play their starters in the preseason? Schottenheimer reveals plans
The Dallas Cowboys don’t typically play their starters in the preseason at all, but they are running under a new head coach now in Brian Schottenheimer.
In the past, the Dallas Cowboys would rest all their starters during the full preseason. But that was the Mike McCarthy era. Now, the Cowboys are working under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who’s already showing a completely different method than McCarthy.
Not only that, but more teams are playing their starters in the preseason this year, including the Cincinnati Bengals, who are planning to start quarterback Joe Burrow as early as tonight for their Week 1 preseason opener.
But it’s still the preseason. So what can we expect from the Cowboys this year as they prepare for a comeback season? Schotty has revealed the plans.
Prescott hasn’t played a preseason snap in 5 years...but that could change
The Cowboys will play their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams this Saturday, August 9. Schottenheimer says the plan for playing time is still being finalized - including whether quarterback Dak Prescott will suit up.
See y'all Saturday, @RamsNFL ☀️ pic.twitter.com/I3d6WvY8XF
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 6, 2025
Prescott hasn’t played in a preseason game since 2019, when Jason Garrett was still the head coach. Though nothing is confirmed, the Cowboys may want to give him a few snaps to build chemistry with new receiver George Pickens, and especially after missing significant time with a hamstring injury last season.
Schottenheimer noted that some players definitely won’t play, while others will be on pitch counts across all three preseason games. The final plan depends on how things shake out this week in camp.
“It’s a work in progress‚” Schotty said. “There’s a group of players that won’t play, and others that they’ll try to get a certain amount of snaps. Don’t just look at it with the Rams. We have a number of snaps we’re trying to get for certain guys throughout the entire preseason.”
Backup quarterback Joe Milton banged his thumb in Tuesday’s scrimmage, but is still expected to be available. If not, third-stringer Will Grier could see a heavy workload.
Meanwhile, Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons (contract standoff) and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (back injury) are both confirmed as out for the game.
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