Five takeaways: Joe Milton struggles as Cowboys drop preseason opener to Rams

The Dallas Cowboys kicked off their 2025 preseason with a 31-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at SoFi Stadium.

There was a lot to draw from a contest that saw the depth of the roster hit the field in search of one of the 53 coveted active roster spots. The game also provided valuable reps for established backups such as quarterback Joe Milton.

Here are the five biggest takeaways from Dallas’ preseason opener:

Good thing Joe Milton has two more games

When the Cowboys traded for Joe Milton over the offseason to be their backup quarterback, Saturday’s performance can’t be quite what they had in mind. From missing wide-open receivers to forcing passes into double coverage, Milton had far from his best day in his first action with his new team.

“I think I need to calm down faster,” Milton said. “I was very excited. I think that’s what got me off of my tracks. But if I was to go back out there now, I’d settle down faster.”

Milton finished 17-for-29 for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also suffered an elbow injury late in the game. There was no word on his condition, but head coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the game that he thought Milton would be OK.

The importance of time and reps for Milton in the preseason can’t be overstated, but it will be tough to see the value in the reps he received Saturday. Fortunately for him and the coaching staff, he will have two more games to flush out the offseason rust in the event his services are needed in the regular season.

But for now, that’s an unwelcoming thought.

Is Javonte Williams a lock to start?

With two running backs injured and a hotly contested battle at the position ongoing in training camp, it was surprising to see veteran Javonte Williams get the day off; he watched in street clothes.

Instead, Deuce Vaughn and Phil Mafah took the majority of the work out of the backfield in the absence of Williams, veteran Miles Sanders (out with a knee injury) and rookie Jaydon Blue (out with a heel/ankle injury).

It’s not totally surprising that Williams is viewed higher on the depth chart than some of the others in that competition given his experience and versatility, but it is surprising to see him earn enough trust to get to wear a ballcap and shorts on the sideline instead of pads.

Israel Mukuamu interception weighs heavy

When starting jobs are up for grabs, every little thing matters. At the nickel cornerback spot, the room for error is so very small.

Kemon Hall got the start at nickel — and the listing as starter on the team’s initial unofficial depth chart earlier this week — before giving way for fifth-year defensive back Israel Mukuamu.

Mukuamu has had his ups and downs since being drafted in the sixth round by the Cowboys in 2021. But on a rental-type one-year contract, this could be his last chance to splash. And on Saturday, he did just that.

On a deep ball from Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett IV in the third quarter, Mukuamu contorted his body to reach back and snag an interception for one of the team’s few highlights.

“It felt good to have that interception,” Mukuamu said. “Just blessed. Been waiting for this moment. God put it out there for me, and I went and got it.”

It will take more to officially win the starting nickel job, but it was a big first step toward accomplishing it for the South Carolina product.

“It was an awesome play,” Schottenheimer said. “He works so hard. ... We’ll move our depth chart around after this game and then get ready for Baltimore.”

Defensive tackle battle is alive

When the team came out for warmups roughly an hour before the game, one of the notable players suited up to play was defensive tackle Mazi Smith. On a day when almost every starter was resting, Smith got the call to show up at SoFi Stadium.

After a couple of possessions, Smith was subbed out for the depth on the roster, including Jay Toia, Perrion Winfrey and Tommy Akingbesote. Toia got the bulk of the action and had moments when he generated push in the run game, but also suffered some lumps and bruises against a physical Rams offensive line.

The strategy at the position could change going into the team’s second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 16 at AT&T Stadium, but it’s notable to see Smith get action in his third preseason.

Cowboys comfortable with Tyler Booker

The Cowboys’ 2025 first-round pick, starting right guard Tyler Booker, was surprisingly not in action Saturday.

Sure, that could be attributed to saving an offensive line room that has suffered its fair share of injuries in training camp. But for a rookie who could use the game reps, it was surprising to not see him on the field.

“There’s three games for us (in the preseason),” Schottenheimer said. “We had a specific plan of who we wanted to play this week. ... It was more about who we wanted to get a rotation this week. ... Next week will look a little bit different.”

Booker could draw playing time in the final two preseason games, but the comfort seems to be high that he will be ready to attack the regular season when the time comes.

This story was originally published August 9, 2025 at 9:10 PM.