Brian Schottenheimer came out and shared his plans for the starters in preseason. The coach said that he’s been putting players on the team into four bins: A, B plus, B minus and C. Players in the A group will skip all preseason games; B plus will get 10-15 snaps, B minus 25-35 and the C group unlimited snaps.
There’s not much to be gained from playing starters in preseason games nowadays, especially with the money on the line. Not to mention, the Dallas Cowboys implemented the same strategy last preseason. In fact, Dak Prescott hasn’t played a snap before Week 1 since 2019.
The Cowboys probably still have PTSD from when Tony Romo went down in the preseason 10 years ago and virtually ended his career. Still, the decision hasn’t gone over well with some analysts, like Shan Shariff from 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.
“I don’t love it. I used to be an advocate of this, used to say, ‘Don’t get them hurt when it doesn’t matter."
Analysts urge Schottenheimer to at least play Caleb Downs in the preseason if no starters play
It’s hard to knock the decision too much. But one interesting question is whether the 11th overall pick, Caleb Downs, has already worked his way into the A group. If so, it would be a pretty strange decision not to let the rookie acclimate before tossing him into the fire.
“Let them get game-speed reps. Definitely Downs. If he doesn’t play Downs, that’s a massive mistake. Let him get NFL game-speed reps before he has to go out there and do it,” another Bobby Belt from 105.3 The Fan suggested.
Either way, it's a storyline. If Downs plays, we will get to see him in action. If he doesn't, that's a huge stamp of respect from the coaching staff. Another storyline within that is Downs already getting the Prescott treatment. A rookie not playing in the preseason at all? That'd be quite a bold move.
Nevertheless, Dallas still has another handful of practices scheduled over the coming weeks. The starters will also play the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints in joint practices. Schottenheimer believes those events will be enough to prepare his team for the season.
At the end of the day, the decision to sit the starters for every preseason game was never going to be popular. But it’s understandable why it’s being made. An unexpected injury to a key player would be devastating. Playing it safe is the right call.
Still, all eyes will be on Downs to see if he gets any snaps in preseason games. After all, he's been up to all sorts of stuff since rookie minicamp. He projects to be a starter, but encasing him in bubble wrap to start his career would be quite a controversial move.
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