Cowboys vs. Jags: McCarthy Play-Calling Debut; Dak Prescott Plan?

Mike McCarthy will call plays for the first time since 2018 with Green Bay as the Cowboys open the preseason against the Jaguars.

ARLINGTON, Texas - Let the 2023 NFL season, begin!

The Dallas Cowboys will travel home from their training camp in Oxnard, California to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday in the first of their three preseason games. This matchup is highlighted by a first-look at head coach Mike McCarthy as offensive play-caller and a few key position battles. 

Quarterback Dak Prescott will not play on Saturday vs. Jacksonville. Prescott has not played during preseason since 2019. In fact, while Dak warmed up like normal, he handed off his usual pregame hype-talk job to rookie linebacker DeMarvion Overshown ...

It appears that #DakPrescott has given today's pregame pep-talk job to ... #Cowboys rookie DeMarvion Overshown?! pic @dallascowboys pic.twitter.com/kv4G7qjxHx

— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) August 12, 2023

While fans may have to wait to see all the starters - McCarthy said in pregame he'd be sitting 25 front-line guys -  they will likely see major playing time for Dallas' rookies. Some face an uphill battle in terms of making the roster. Others, such as Mazi Smith, Luke Schoonmaker, Overshown, Eric Scott Jr., Deuce Vaughn and Jalen Brooks, could be making a case for major playing time. 

Dallas' many roster hopefuls try to earn their spot before Tuesday, Aug. 29, when every NFL team must reduce its roster to no more than 53 players. Dallas' 16-player practice squad will then begin to form. 

The Jacksonville starters will get some snaps, according to head coach Doug Pederson. The Dallas defense will have a chance to get after quarterback Trevor Lawrence. 

The 2023 Dallas squad hopes to improve on a 12-5 campaign and usurp the Philadelphia Eagles as NFC East Division champions. 

Keep an eye on McCarthy calling plays from the sideline for the first time since 2018 with Green Bay. Who will emerge at backup running back and No. 4 receiver? How will kicker Brandon Aubrey do? The preseason slate may help some of the lingering Cowboys questions. 

FUN FACT: It's been over a decade since the Cowboys opened the preseason at home. The last time Dallas played its preseason opener at home, they defeated Denver 24-23 in 2011 in front of 74,045 fans at AT&T Stadium.

RECORDS: Dallas Cowboys (0-0) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0)

ODDS: Dallas is a 4-point underdog vs. the Jaguars.

GAME TIME: Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 4 p.m. CT

LOCATION: AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas

TV/RADIO: CBS 11, 105.3 The Fan

THE FINAL WORD: Dallas' first-round selection Smith has been dealing with knee tendinitis.

“I’d like to see Mazi," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said this week, listing his hopes-for highlights from Saturday’s game. “I just want to see him kinda right there in combat.”

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