Five Thoughts from Day 2 of Cowboys training camp

1 With Tony Romo sitting out practice, backup Kellen Moore got invaluable reps with the first team Sunday. The Cowboys plan to rest Romo every third day during camp, giving Moore experience with the starters as they try to evaluate his proficiency as a viable backup option. It will be an adjustment for the receivers because Moore lacks Romo’s arm strength. He will be throwing with more anticipation and the balls will come in a lot softer. Moore said the biggest adjustment is communication with center Travis Frederick and the offensive line to make sure the calls are right on the blocking schemes.

2 The Cowboys will put on pads for the first time Monday, which means that tight end Rico Gathers will don pads for the first time since eighth grade. Gathers is making the transition to the NFL after playing basketball in college at Baylor. He hasn’t played football since junior high school. The Cowboys monitor all of their players on the first day of pads to make sure they are practicing the right way and with the right tone. Coach Jason Garrett acknowledged the team will keep a closer eye on Gathers because his adjustment and learning curve is higher than the rest of the team.

3 The Cowboys are expecting a lot from safety Byron Jones in his second year. He played corner, safety and nickel as a rookie last year but he is a safety full time in 2016. The Cowboys, in dire need of a playmaker on defense, are hoping he develops into a big-time performer in the secondary. He is one of the team’s best all-around athletes in terms of running, jumping, speed and quickness. They need to him grow in terms of ball skills so he can be a playmaking center fielder. Garrett said “growth from year 1 to year 2 is usually pretty significant for guys, particular guys who have played a lot. He played a lot in his rookie year.”

4 Talking to Cowboys brass, they understand the sticky situation they are in at defensive end with starters DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory suspended to start the season. While the Cowboys like the young guys they have competing for reps and plan on giving them a chance to grow and develop in training camp, they will look at the waiver wire and veteran free agents for help before the start of the season if they don’t see significant progress. The Cowboys believe there is no point signing a veteran like Dwight Freeney now. He doesn’t want to be in camp and his presence would take reps away from a young guy.

5 David Wells, the former adviser to receiver Dez Bryant, is at Cowboys training camp at the request of the Cowboys. He will be here for the entirety of the camp work with the Cowboys. Bryant is embroiled in lawsuits with Wells and State Sen. Royce West. But there doesn’t seem to be any animosity so far in training camp.

Quote of the day

“No, I never played fantasy football. I really don’t even understand how it works.”

— Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott

Injury report

DT Maliek Collins (foot): PUP

RB Lance Dunbar (knee): PUP

TE James Hanna (knee): PUP

DE Benson Mayowa (knee): PUP

RB Darren McFadden (elbow): NFI

LB Jaylon Smith (knee): NFI

LB Damien Wilson (eye): NFI

This story was originally published July 31, 2016 at 10:19 PM with the headline "Five Thoughts from Day 2 of Cowboys training camp."