The Dallas Cowboys will continue to protect their starters in the preseason, announcing yesterday that most will not suit for Friday’s game against Seattle. But we can expect to see a lot of backup QB candidate Will Grier, who will reportedly get the majority of the snaps versus the Seahawks.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy made the team’s plans clear in a media session yesterday. He said the first-team offense and defense would get a lot of work in practice this week but that Friday night would be more for evaluating the backups and position battles throughout the roster.
It doesn’t sound like there will be any preseason work for Dak Prescott or most of the other Cowboys starters. Dallas will likely go with mostly reserves Friday night against Seattle, same as their first two preseason games
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 23, 2022
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said the team will work its starters as much as possible in padded practices this week. If all goes to plan, like first two exhibitions, starters won’t need work in Friday’s preseason finale vs. Seahawks.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 23, 2022
Even diehard fans have to be a little disappointed that we won’t see Micah Parsons, Dak Prescott, and other stars at all during the preseason. But unlike the casuals, we can find some comfort in our own glimpses of the guys fighting for their spots on the depth chart or to even make the 53-man roster.
We can be excited to see more from guys like KaVontae Turpin, Malik Davis, Israel Mukuamu, and other standouts from the last two games. Hopefully, Brett Maher get some more chances to kick and earn trust before the game start counting.
Few of those contenders have more intrigue right now than Will Grier. After outclassing Cooper Rush in last week’s game in Los Angeles, Grier will supposedly get all the work he can handle this Friday as Dallas tries to decide who their backup QB will be in 2022.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy wants Will Grier to get the bulk of the work at quarterback on Friday night, if his hamstring is okay
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) August 23, 2022
It makes sense to load up the reps on Grier. Dallas knows who Cooper Rush is after five seasons, while last week was their only firsthand look at Will in uniform for a live game.
Of course, any evaluation of Grier’s performance comes with the caveat that he won’t be protected by the starting offensive line or throwing to CeeDee Lamb or Dalton Schultz. But skilled coaches can see how traits shown in preseason and practice would translate to the real games, such as how Rush looked against the Vikings last year.
Even without the starters, there will clearly be plenty to watch for this Friday night.
