Dallas, Texas – In a preseason matchup that highlighted the competition for the Cowboys’ No. 2 quarterback spot, third‑year quarterback Joe Milton delivered a strong performance against the Arizona Cardinals. Coach Brian Schottenheimer praised Milton’s effort while noting that the battle with Sam Howell for the backup role remains open.
Milton’s production
Milton completed 9 of 13 passes for 176 yards, connecting on a 53‑yard touchdown to wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and a 70‑yard strike to Camden Brown that set up Milton’s own 1‑yard rushing touchdown. The long pass to Mingo featured a precise double move by the receiver before Milton delivered the ball in stride down the left sideline.
“He’s been able to control the RPMs of the football and throw with different speeds and touches,” Schottenheimer said, adding that Milton performed at a very high level. The coach also emphasized that the team still has confidence in Sam Howell, who completed 7 of 10 passes for 65 yards in the second half but threw an interception in the end zone.
Game flow
Dallas built a 24‑6 lead by halftime, thanks in part to a 22‑yard interception return by cornerback Shavon Revel after Arizona quarterback Gardner Minshew’s pass was tipped. Revel’s return set up an early 7‑0 lead when Milton escaped the pocket, rolled left and found Malik Davis for an 8‑yard touchdown.
Jaydon Blue contributed 75 rushing yards on 15 carries for the Cowboys, while rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham recorded an early tackle for loss. The Cardinals struggled with penalties, having two touchdowns called back on a single drive due to offensive holding and pass interference by receiver Rivaldo Fairweather. A false start at the Dallas 1‑yard line and subsequent sack further limited Arizona’s scoring opportunities.
Injuries and next steps
Cardinals safety Dadrion Taylor‑Demerson left the game late in the first quarter after a hit on Cowboys tight end Zack Kuntz, and he was penalized for a personal foul on the play. Cowboys safety Julius Wood exited in the third quarter with a concussion.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will host the New Orleans Saints on Friday night, giving both Milton and Howell additional chances to showcase their abilities before the regular season begins.
Context
Milton, a sixth‑round pick by New England in 2024, appeared in four regular‑season games with Dallas last year, throwing for 183 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Howell, who started all 17 games for Washington in 2023 and spent the previous season with Philadelphia without game action, remains the incumbent starter behind Dak Prescott.
Coach Schottenheimer noted the team will return to Frisco for further training camp days, providing more opportunities for the quarterbacks to compete for the backup role.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
