Dallas, TX
Cowboys vs. Chargers: 7 players to watch in preseason finale
After an impressive showing last Saturday night in the Dallas Cowboys’ 27-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the team returns home to close out the 2024 preseason against the Los Angeles Chargers, then will look ahead to the start of the regular season.
Saturday’s preseason clash is the final stand for players vying for a spot on the 2024 Dallas Cowboys roster.
It’s their last chance to prove they have what it takes to wear the star and represent America’s Team.
With that being said, here are seven players to watch in Saturday’s preseason battle.
MORE: Cowboys vs. Chargers preview: injuries, odds, key players to watch
The Cowboys’ sixth wide receiver spot was a fierce duel between rookie Ryan Flournoy and Jalen Moreno-Cropper throughout training camp.
However, last week’s preseason game was a turning point. Flournoy shone brightly, while Cropper unfortunately faltered, quite literally. A dropped pass and a critical fumble on a punt return might have tipped the scales against Cropper.
The Cowboys’ final roster decisions could hinge on special teams contributions, and this error might prove costly. Nevertheless, the upcoming Chargers game presents Cropper with a final opportunity for redemption.
A stellar performance could still salvage his chances, but the odds are stacked against him. The battle for the WR6 spot is far from over, but Flournoy now holds a significant advantage.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster prediction: Wide Receiver
Tyler Guyton’s early exit Wednesday with a sore knee casts a shadow over his availability for the Chargers game. While he’s the projected starting left tackle for Week 1, his absence could mean Asim Richards steps in.
Interestingly, when asked about standout players in camp, Jones highlighted the entire offensive line, praising their depth and potential. This young group up front is generating excitement, reinforcing the Cowboys’ reputation for picking top-tier offensive linemen in the first round.
Regardless of Saturday’s game, Guyton is the left tackle of the future and the Cowboys’ most important player on offense, not named Dak Prescott.
Deuce Vaughn’s performance against the Raiders reminded everyone of his potential. While the competition at running back will be tough, it appears that Elliott, Dowdle, and Luepke are safe.
With possibly only one spot left, it looks like there will be a showdown between Vaughn and Freeman.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster prediction: Running Back
The Dallas Cowboys fortified their defensive line by recently acquiring seasoned defensive end Carl Lawson.
Lawson, now part of a formidable pass-rushing rotation that includes Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Marshawn Kneeland, is eager to make an immediate impact.
Although a minor back issue sidelined him for the Cowboys’ second preseason game, Lawson, now fully recovered, is brimming with confidence. He believes this season presents a golden opportunity to showcase his peak performance, a testament to his relentless pursuit of physical excellence.
The upcoming Saturday game will offer a tantalizing preview of Lawson’s capabilities, a chance for him to validate the high expectations surrounding his arrival in Dallas.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys 53 man roster prediction: Defensive line
Mazi Smith missed the Vegas trip due to an allergic reaction to milk. The experienced player remained calm and understood the situation. He’s back in practice and ready for Saturday’s game. The Cowboys expect more from their previous first-round pick this season.
Despite recent additions to the defensive tackle position, a standout performance from Smith on Saturday would set a positive tone for the regular season.
Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones confirmed earlier this week that Trey Lance will be a part of the Cowboys’ 53-man roster ahead of the 2024 regular season.
Lance delivered an impressive performance last Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Cowboys’ second-year quarterback completed 15 out of 23 passes for 151 yards and 1 touchdown. He also had 7 carries for 34 yards and scored a rushing touchdown in the 27-12 victory.
The backup quarterback has shown a lot of optimism in the preseason so far. While his spot on the roster is secured, he could still potentially challenge Cooper Rush for the primary backup role behind Dak Prescott.
MORE: Cowboys’ most important remaining position battle entering preseason finale
Cooper Beebe’s preseason performance has been a game-changer. Starting camp as a backup, he now has a real chance at Week 1 starting duties.
His standout play in the first game opened doors, and he’s taken every chance to shine with the first team. If he maintains his snapping accuracy, this former Kansas State guard could be anchoring the Cowboys’ offensive line for the foreseeable future.
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ARLINGTON, Texas – A horde of Socceroo fans stormed an Arlington Walmart ahead of Australia’s World Cup match on Friday at Dallas Stadium.
A Socceroo Walmart takeover
Videos of Australian soccer fans taking over a Walmart in Arlington went viral on Monday.
The Walmart is located across the street from where the Socceroos played a World Cup match on Friday against Egypt.
Plenty of chants were heard in the videos, ranging from “We’re going to Walmart” as they entered the building to “We’re getting deported” while exiting.
The Arlington Police Department got involved to break up the impromptu rally.
Australia lost to Egypt on Friday afternoon, ending their run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Source: Information in this story comes from social media videos.
A confrontation between Egypt’s coaching staff and a Dallas police officer at the team’s hotel sparked a viral video ahead of a World Cup match.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said he considered the matter resolved after he and team director Ibrahim Hassan had a physical confrontation with a police officer at the team’s hotel in Dallas.
Video began circulating Thursday, a day before Egypt beat Australia in the round of the 32 at the World Cup, showing both men arguing with a Dallas police officer, apparently over a player preparing to take a picture with a young fan in the hotel lobby.
The officer approaches Hossam Hassan first, but his interaction with Ibrahim Hassan becomes a shoving match. Ibrahim Hassan appeared to be upset at the officer intervening.
Dallas police issued a statement saying that just before midnight, officers were responding to a request from hotel security about an individual without event credentials attempting to gain access.
“It was later learned that the individuals weren’t displaying credentials properly, which is a requirement,” Dallas police said in a statement.
The statement said the issue was resolved at the scene, and that police met with Egyptian representatives to address their concerns.
Hossam Hassan said through a translator that the team had accepted an apology from the police.
“We are really happy to be here at this tournament and we are satisfied with the security personnel that are accompanying us,” Hossam Hassan said. “I would like to point to the high-level organization we have with us and the level of security we have with us.”
Hassan is the first person to play and coach for Egypt at the World Cup. The victory over Australia came in Egypt’s debut in the knockout round of the tournament.
The match ball from Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against England – better known as the ‘Hand of God’ ball, thanks to Diego Maradona’s famous goal – is set to go up for auction. It has been auctioned before, previously for $2.4m.
Maradona’s shirt from that match sold for about $9 million back in 2022. Maradona and Argentina would return to the Estadio Azteca to win the tournament soon after, their second World Cup title. England has not played there since.
AP Photo/Michael Lipchitz, File AP Photo/Michael Lipchitz, File Argentina’s soccer star Diego Maradona and West German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher holding their World Cup Soccer Ball awards while posing with two young soccer players during the Soccer Golden Shoe Award ceremony held in Paris, France, on Nov. 13, 1986.
The ‘Hand of God’ is famous because Maradona punched the ball in using his left hand over the English goalkeeper, making the score 1-0.Four minutes later, Maradona struck again. The Argentinian took 11 seconds and 11 touches to pass six English defenders and score what was later voted the “Goal of the Century.” The game ended 2-1.
The goal should not have stood, but no VAR meant no replay to overturn the call.
The game referee kept the ball in Tunisia for more than three decades.
This comes ahead of England’s return to the Azteca for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 against Mexico Sunday at 7 p.m. North Texas will likely be rocking from Sunday night right into the US Men’s National Team game against Belgium on Monday at 7 p.m. The winners of those games are headed to this year’s quarterfinals.
Mexico has never lost a World Cup game at the Azteca (7-3-0) and has only lost twice there in its history (70-17-2). England is 2-0 against Mexico in World Cup games, including on the way to their only World Cup title. That game was in England.
Maradona died at the age of 60 in November of 2020.
Argentinian soccer great Diego Maradona has died after undergoing surgery for a subdural hematoma earlier this month. He was 60 years old.
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