Cowboys Struggle in Preseason Clash with Ravens, Milton Faces Scrutiny
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The Dallas Cowboys returned to Texas following their West Coast training camp and faced a tough test in their second preseason game, hosting the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night. Despite playing more starters than in their first exhibition contest, the Cowboys struggled offensively and defensively, falling behind early and ultimately unable to mount a consistent challenge against a dominant Ravens squad. The game served as a critical evaluation period for players vying for roster spots, particularly second-year quarterback Joe Milton, who is competing to be Dak Prescott’s backup.
Milton’s Performance Under the Microscope
With Prescott continuing his preseason hiatus – a tradition dating back to 2019 – Milton once again took the starting snaps. However, he faced significant pressure from the Ravens defense, completing just 9 of 18 passes for 122 yards, one interception, and a passer rating of 48.8. “He needs a stronger performance to convince the coaching staff he’s capable of being the regular season backup,” a source close to the team noted. Milton also added six yards on three carries, but struggled to find a rhythm throughout his playing time.
Later in the game, Will Grier replaced Milton and immediately connected on a 34-yard pass to tight end Princeton Fant, but Fant was subsequently injured on the play, reportedly suffering a shoulder injury.
Ravens Dominate on Both Sides of the Ball
The Ravens controlled the game from the outset, showcasing a potent offense and a relentless defense. They consistently moved the ball downfield, scoring four touchdowns and adding a field goal. The Cowboys defense struggled to contain the Ravens’ rushing attack and were often caught out of position in coverage. A key issue was the Cowboys’ inability to cover players behind the line of scrimmage, allowing for significant yardage after the catch.
Rookie Debuts and Injury Concerns
Despite the overall team performance, the game marked the professional debut of first-round rookie Tyler Booker, who saw action on the offensive line alongside Cooper Beebe. Several other players, including Kaiir Elam, Kavontae Turpin, and Deuce Vaughn, also made their 2025 debuts.
However, the game was not without its injury concerns. Cornerback Bruce Harmon sustained a knee injury and is questionable to return, while Fant’s shoulder injury adds to the team’s growing list of health issues. Longtime Cowboys national anthem trumpet performer, Freddie Jones, also retired, with a member of the military now set to perform the anthem moving forward.
Defensive Struggles and Key Plays
While the Cowboys defense showed flashes of potential, they were consistently hampered by penalties and missed assignments. Darius Harris was flagged for unnecessary roughness, extending a Ravens drive that ultimately resulted in a field goal. Kemon Hall provided a bright spot with an interception, but the Ravens responded with a touchdown drive shortly after. Andrew Booth’s Pick-6 also proved to be a momentum-shifting play for Baltimore.
Defensive highlights included a run stuff by Earnest Brown and a combined tackle by Tyrus Wheat and Damone Clark. However, the Ravens consistently found success on third down, converting multiple key opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The Cowboys will need to address their defensive shortcomings and find more consistency on offense as they prepare for their Week 1 opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. The coaching staff, led by Brian Schottenheimer, has indicated they will not reveal their full offensive scheme during the preseason, saving the “bells and whistles” for the regular season. For now, the focus remains on evaluating players and building depth. The team is also dealing with several key players missing time due to injury, including DeMarvion Overshown (knee), Trevon Diggs (knee), and Micah Parsons (back/contract).
The Cowboys face a challenging road ahead as they strive to improve and contend for a championship in the 2025 season.
