Dallas City News

The Dallas Cowboys got one step closer to the regular season Saturday night. They played their second of three preseason games, traveling to Las Vegas to face the Raiders.

Like Dallas’ first preseason matchup against the Rams, almost all of the Cowboys starters did not play. Despite this, the game still carried significance for many young players on the backend of Dallas’ roster.

A few different guys put up performances of note, including second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland and running backs Deuce Vaughn and Royce Freeman, but a couple of players stood out the most. One was sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy, and the wideout earned himself the second preseason Star of the Game award. Additionally, Trey Lance was right there with him with a solid performance.

Flournoy, who missed Dallas’ first couple of training camp practices with a knee injury, has gotten healthy and started to turn some heads. The 24-year-old put together a very solid performance in tonight’s contest, catching a game-high four passes for 23 yards and scoring one of Dallas’ two offensive touchdowns.

Coming into today’s matchup, Flournoy’s spot on the 53-man roster was anything but certain. To this point of camp, a duo of receivers, Tyron Billy-Johnson and Jalen Moreno-Cropper, might have had a leg up on the 24-year-old.

After tonight’s game, there’s a good chance that things have changed. Flournoy showing up the way he did in live game snaps certainly got him much closer to beating out Johnson and Cropper for the fifth wide receiver roster spot.

Trey Lance played the best football we’ve seen him play in a Cowboys uniform in tonight’s game. We’re kind of giving him Co-Star of the Game here. The 24-year-old quarterback finished the night 15 of 23 for 151 yards and a touchdown through the air, and five carries for 36 yards and another touchdown on the ground. He also set up Brandon Aubrey’s big kick with a nifty scramble and ‘get down’ with seconds left on the clock before halftime.

He looked much calmer this week, and he also benefited from better protection and a ground game. He’s avoided any big mistakes and found his rhythm as the game wore on.

BONUS STARS

Cowboys’ kicker Brandon Aubrey continues to be unbelievable. The second-year pro was a perfect two-for-two today, including converting a 66-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. According to Next Gen Stats, Aubrey’s kick would have been good from 72 yards out.

The 29-year-old is a true weapon and continues to amaze with his consistent production.

Cornerback Kemon Hall, who the Cowboys claimed off waivers at the end of July, made a name for himself. The 27-year-old made the defensive play of the day, recording a pick-six off Raiders’ quarterback Aidan O’Connell to begin the fourth quarter.

2024 Training Camp Star Of The Day Leaderboard

⭐️ – Dak Prescott

⭐️ – Jalen Tolbert

⭐️ – Micah Parsons

⭐️ – Brandin Cooks

⭐️ – DaRon Bland

⭐️ – DeMarvion Overshown

⭐️ – Markquese Bell (PRESEASON GAME ONE)

⭐️ – Chauncey Golston

⭐️ – Ryan Flournoy (PRESEASON GAME TWO)