5 Cowboys Playing for Their Job in Preseason Week 1

Dallas Cowboys fans across the country are pumped because America's Team finally returns to the gridiron this weekend. The Cowboys' preseason slate begins on the road when they travel to SoFi Stadium to take on Sean McVay's LA Rams on Sunday, Aug. 11.

The first game of the preseason is often the most important for several players. While the likes of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb likely won't play due to their roster spots practically being guaranteed, fringe players have no choice but to elevate their play during the preseason or risk being an early 53-man roster cut.

Keeping that in mind, here are five Cowboys who are playing for their jobs in Week 1 of the NFL preseason.

1. Deuce Vaughn, RB

Remember when Deuce Vaughn was a preseason darling in 2023? Last year's 212th selection's strong practice and exhibition performances convinced head coach Mike McCarthy to overlook his 5-foot-6 frame and add him to the 53-man roster.

But as much as a feel-good story that his making the team was, Vaughn didn't have the same success once the regular season arrived. The former Kansas State RB only managed to produce 40 rushing yards without a touchdown on 23 carries, translating to a putrid 1.7 yards per attempt. His struggles saw him quickly lose the RB2 job to Rico Dowdle, who dazzled with 89 carries for 361 rushing yards and two TDs.

Even with 2023 RB1 Tony Pollard leaving town this offseason, Vaughn's status with the team isn't any better than it was at the end of the season. For starters, Ezekiel Elliott is back in Dallas to lead the backfield while Dowdle is looking to build off last year's success. Malik Davis, Snoop Cooper, Hunter Luepke, and Royce Freeman are all looking for an opportunity, too.

Vaughn's journey to making the 53-man roster is only tougher now that he's dealing with a hamstring injury. If he can't heal quickly and power through the issue, there's a decent chance that the Cowboys could quickly give Vaughn the axe.