Joe Milton’s Preseason Debut for the Cowboys: Big Arm, Big Buzz, and a Bit of Bad Luck
Saturday night in Los Angeles had that classic preseason vibe — bright stadium lights, rosters loaded with hopefuls chasing roster spots, and fans eager to get a first glimpse of new faces in action. For the Dallas Cowboys, the spotlight was squarely on Joe Milton, the rocket-armed quarterback making his first appearance in a Cowboys uniform.
This wasn’t your typical quarterback battle though. Dak Prescott, the franchise leader, stayed in street clothes for the night. It was all about evaluating the depth chart, and Milton — who has been generating serious hype all training camp — was the man to watch.
A Camp Darling with a Cannon
If you’ve been following Dallas’ training camp coverage, you know Milton has been turning heads. The former Tennessee Volunteer has the kind of arm that makes defensive backs nervous and fans pull out their phones. Just days before the preseason opener, a clip of Milton casually launching a ball deep downfield went viral, making him the talk of Cowboys Nation.
There’s a certain electricity in seeing a quarterback who can effortlessly throw it 60+ yards. That kind of raw arm strength has been the headline of Milton’s scouting report since his college days — and Saturday was supposed to be his first real chance to show how it plays under NFL pressure.
Up and Down Night
The debut was, in a word, uneven. Milton got plenty of reps, dropping back for 29 pass attempts and connecting on 17 completions. That gave him a modest 4.9 yards per completion — not exactly the deep-ball showcase fans were hoping for.
Still, there were flashes. He managed to find the end zone for his first Cowboys touchdown, but also got burned on an interception. Preseason football is always a mixed bag, and Milton’s night was no exception.
Unfortunately, the game’s biggest turn for him came late. Somewhere along the line, Milton tweaked his elbow, forcing him to the sideline. The buzz in the stadium shifted quickly from “Can he be QB2?” to “Is this serious?”
Coach’s Take on the Injury
After the game, head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed the concern. The good news? Early tests suggest the injury isn’t severe. That’s a sigh of relief for Dallas, because Milton has been the front-runner to back up Dak Prescott in 2025.
Schottenheimer’s exact vibe was cautious optimism — the team won’t rush him, but nobody’s ringing the panic alarm yet.
How the Game Wrapped
Once Milton exited, Will Grier stepped in and kept things short and safe. He completed 2 passes for 14 yards, but the offense couldn’t mount a comeback.
The Rams, meanwhile, controlled the scoreboard and walked away with a 31-21 win. But for the Cowboys, this was never really about the final score — preseason is about evaluating talent and shaking off rust.
Milton’s Road to Dallas
Part of what makes Milton’s appearance such a talking point is his journey here. He first made noise in college back in 2018, joining the Michigan Wolverines. After three seasons in Ann Arbor, he transferred to Tennessee in 2021, where his cannon arm became SEC legend material.
It wasn’t until 2023 that Milton finally locked down a full-time starting gig. That season, he posted an 8-4 record, racked up 2,769 passing yards, and threw 20 touchdowns against only five interceptions.
The New England Patriots liked his upside enough to grab him in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He saw limited action there — just one game — but made the most of it, completing 76% of his passes for 241 yards and a touchdown.
Dallas landed Milton in an offseason deal, sending a 2025 fifth-round pick to New England in exchange for Milton and a seventh-round selection. The trade was all about giving Dallas a high-upside developmental backup, and so far, it’s looked like a savvy move.
Why Milton Matters for the Cowboys
Let’s be real: Dak Prescott is the guy. But every smart NFL team knows that a solid backup QB can be the difference between a playoff push and a lost season. Milton brings a rare blend of size, arm strength, and mobility that makes him more than just a clipboard holder.
If he can clean up his decision-making and prove he’s ready for live-game speed, Dallas could have one of the better QB2 situations in the league.
Key Points in Milton’s Favor:
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Elite Arm Strength – He can hit deep routes most QBs can’t even attempt.
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Big-Game Experience – SEC football isn’t exactly a soft landing; Milton’s faced pressure before.
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Low-Risk Acquisition – Dallas didn’t spend major draft capital to get him.
The Elbow Question
Of course, all that optimism hinges on his health. Arm injuries, even minor ones, can linger for quarterbacks. Right now, the team is calling it “not serious,” but that’s something everyone will be watching closely this week.
Milton’s next scheduled appearance would be next Saturday when Dallas hosts the Baltimore Ravens. Whether he suits up will depend on how quickly he bounces back.
The Bigger Picture
In preseason, stats and scores take a backseat to development and evaluation. Milton’s debut wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to show why Dallas was intrigued. The throws came out hot, his composure was mostly solid, and he operated the offense with confidence until the elbow flare-up.
The interception? Chalk it up to growing pains. The touchdown? Proof of his potential. And the injury? Just an annoying bump in the road — at least, that’s the hope.
Final Take
Joe Milton’s first preseason outing as a Cowboy was a little bit of everything: hype, highlight, hard luck, and hope for the future. Fans didn’t get the full fireworks display they were expecting, but they saw enough to keep the excitement alive heading into the season.
For Dallas, the mission is clear: get Milton healthy, get him reps, and get him ready to be the steady hand behind Dak. If that happens, this preseason story could end up being the start of a much bigger chapter in Milton’s NFL career.
Next Up:
🏈 Cowboys vs. Ravens – Home game, next Saturday
🤔 Milton’s Status – Up in the air until injury evaluation finishes
📌 Backup QB Watch – Milton still leads the race, if healthy
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