Dallas Cowboys quarterback hopeful Joe Milton delivered a strong performance in the preseason matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night in Glendale, Arizona. 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, before adding a 1‑yard rushing touchdown of his own.
Backup quarterback competition heats up
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said the competition for the No. 2 quarterback spot remains open, noting that both Milton and Sam Howell have shown promise in recent preseason outings. “We have a lot of confidence in Sam as well,” Schottenheimer said, while praising Milton’s ability to vary the ball’s speed and touch.
Milton, a 26‑year‑old sixth‑round pick of the New England Patriots in 2024, appeared in four regular‑season games for Dallas last year, posting 183 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His latest showing adds to a growing résumé that could see him earn the backup role behind starter Dak Prescott.
Game flow and key plays
Dallas built a 24‑6 lead by halftime, thanks to early scores that included a 22‑yard interception return by cornerback Shavon Revel and a short touchdown pass to Malik Davis. The Cowboys’ running back Jaydon Blue contributed 75 rushing yards on 15 carries.
Arizona’s quarterback Gardner Minshew completed 19 of 23 passes for 177 yards before the Cardinals’ offense stalled. The Cardinals had two touchdowns nullified on the same drive due to penalties on receiver Rivaldo Fairweather, and a false‑start at the Dallas 1‑yard line set up a field‑goal attempt that was missed.
Injuries and roster notes
Cardinals safety Dadrion Taylor‑Demerson left the game late in the first quarter after a hit on Cowboys tight end Zack Kuntz, while Cowboys safety Julius Wood exited in the third quarter with a concussion.
Both teams rested the majority of their regular‑season starters, using the preseason to evaluate depth players and assess the readiness of younger talent.
Looking ahead
The Cowboys will host the New Orleans Saints on Friday night, while the Cardinals travel to Green Bay for their next preseason contest. Fans will be watching closely to see which quarterback earns the backup badge for Dallas as the regular season approaches.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
