Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III (10) rolls out with blocking from running back Phil Mafah (37) during the first quarter of a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
ARLINGTON – The Cowboys concluded the preseason with a 27-24 loss to the Saints on Friday night at AT&T Stadium.
It was a rematch of a fight-filled joint practice that happened in Oxnard on Aug. 18. There were no fights this time, instead, a stirring second-half performance by backup quarterback Sam Howell, some questions about the depth of the right tackles and the defense continued.
Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete (75) and quarterback Sam Howell (16) walk to the locker room together following their preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) reacts to seeing a New Orleans Saints friend following their preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
University of Kentucky teammates Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete (75) and New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Alex Wollschlaeger (79) pose for a photo following their preseason game against one another at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson (4) gives Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) a high following their preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) gives former Cowboys offensive coordinator and current New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore a hug following their preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker (right) hugs New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore following their preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom (27) keeps Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jaden Smith (17) from making a fourth down pass completion late in the second half of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
New Orleans Saints place kicker Daniel Carlson (48) follows through on the game-winning field goal late in the second half of a preseason game \ad\ at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Trikweze Bridges (25) takes down New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ronnie Bell (11) following a second half pass completion in a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Langston Patterson (47) attempts to take down New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson (4) during the second half of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Sam Howell (16) scores on a two-point conversion as he’s hit in the end zone by New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom (27) during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Traeshon Holden (80) is congratulated on his long touchdown reception by running back Jashaun Corbin (36) during the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Traeshon Holden (80) is congratulated on his long touchdown reception by running back Jashaun Corbin (36) during the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Traeshon Holden (80) huals in a long touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Howell as he was defended by New Orleans Saints safety Elliott Davison (35) during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Traeshon Holden (80) huals in a long touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Howell as he was defended by New Orleans Saints safety Elliott Davison (35) during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Traeshon Holden (80) huals in a long touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Howell as he was defended by New Orleans Saints safety Elliott Davison (35) during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Anthony Smith (83) waves to the New Orleans Saints after catching a pass in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Isaiah Land (58) sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson (4) during the second half of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jordan Hudson (18) celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown reception from quarterback Sam Howell in a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jordan Hudson (18) hauls in a long pass completion from quarterback Sam Howell as New Orleans Saints cornerback David Long Jr. attempts to break it up in the second half of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah (37) blasts through New Orleans Saints cornerback Jayden Price (38) to pick up yards in the first quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Sam Howell (16) fires a long pass completion to wide receiver Jordan Hudson during the third quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Sam Howell (16) fires a long pass completion to wide receiver Jordan Hudson during the third quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys running back Israel Abanikanda (30) carries the ball around the right side against the New Orleans Saints defense in the third quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Cobie Durant (2) follows through on a second quarter field goal attempt against the New Orleans Saints in a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026. Aubrey missed the midfield kick.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) catches a pass as he’s tackled by New Orleans Saints cornerback TJ Hall Jr. (34) during the second quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Tyler Johnson (15) is ought down by New Orleans Saints cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (22) during a first half run of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) is taken down by Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Tommy Dunn (95) during a first quarter run of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Tommy Dunn (95) reacts after bringing down New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) for a first quarter loos in a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah (37) blasts through the line to pick up yards in the first quarter of a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform their pregame routine before fans attending a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Camden Brown (6) reacts after making a first half catch against the New Orleans Saints in a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
New Orleans Saints linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) pushes Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III (10) out of bounds during a first quarter run of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
New Orleans Saints cornerback Jayden Price (38) reaches for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Anthony Smith (83) following a first quarter completion in a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III (10) throws a first quarter pass against the New Orleans Saints in a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) carries the ball during a first quarter run against the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) takes a knee on the NFL logo before taking the field to face the New Orleans Saints in a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Sam Howell (16) takes the field during the teams introduction before a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders skip onto the field for the team introduction before the Cowboys face the New Orleans Saints in a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform their pregame routine before fans attending a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Von Miller (40) tackles his kids and a nephew during pregame warmups before a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Von Miller (40) tackles his kids and a nephew during pregame warmups before a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Von Miller (40) tosses one of kids in the air during pregame warmups before a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, August 28, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
So instead of the Cowboys finishing with their first undefeated preseason since 2006, the Cowboys go into the regular season 2-1.
Article continues below this ad
Here are five takeaways from the Cowboys-Saints game
The backup quarterback job
The backup quarterback battle between Joe Milton and Howell started slowly. Milton started but didn’t lead the Cowboys into the end zone. Howell came into the second half and rallied the Cowboys from a 24-9 second-half deficit to tie that game.
Milton’s start doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll get the No. 2 job behind Dak Prescott, but his efforts in the second preseason game were meaningful. Milton completed eight of 15 passes for 92 yards with a 72.1 quarterback rating.
Milton didn’t throw any touchdown passes but he was hurt by two dropped passes from Michael Trigg and Camden Brown. Milton also had two passes tipped on consecutive plays from defensive tackle Jay’Viar Suggs. The plays might have more to do with the blocking than what Milton did.
Article continues below this ad
After a slow start, where his first two series ended with punts, Howell connected on big plays on his third and fourth drives of the night. Howell completed a 52-yard pass to Jordan Hudson to end the third quarter. Howell then started the fourth quarter throwing a fade route to Hudson for a 26-yard touchdown reception. Milton has a strong arm but Howell has also displayed his ability to get the ball deep downfield. Howell also connected on a touchdown pass of 21 yards down the middle of the field to newly signed tight end Mitch Van Vooren. Howell tied the game at 24-24, by bulldozing his way into the end zone on the two-point conversion try.
Carson’s struggles at corner
Cornerback Caelen Carson is a 2024 fifth-round pick on the bubble. He didn’t help his case on Friday night, committing an illegal contact penalty on a third-down play that kept a drive alive for the Saints. It’s the fourth penalty this preseason for Carson, who started training camp working with the second-team defense.
As it stands, the Cowboys corners for the regular season should be: DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Cobie Durant and rookie Devin Moore. Moore is a 2026 fourth-round pick who’s played in all three preseason games, including as a starter on Friday night.
Backup tackle concerns
Brian Schottenheimer expressed concern about both starting tackles, Tyler Guyton (left) and Terence Steele (right), during training camp. Guyton and Steele will start the season at their respective positions.
Article continues below this ad
What about the depth behind them?
Rookie Drew Shelton (left tackle) and Nate Thomas (right tackle) started against the Saints. Sebastian Gutierrez started at right tackle in the second half, while Shelton maintained the left tackle spot. Shelton and Thomas were each pushed back into the backfield several times in the first half. During a run play, Thomas missed a block.
The Cowboys’ search for a swing tackle might not reside on their current 90-man roster and with cuts coming on Sunday, the team might have to sign a veteran.
Defense overall was …
Depth is a concern for the Cowboys defense entering the 2026 season. Friday night that concern continued as the Saints scored on three of their first five first-half possessions.
Article continues below this ad
The Saints also picked up a first down on their first three plays of the game. On their fourth play, running back Kendre Miller gained 8 yards. The Saints took a commanding 24-9 lead after scoring on their first possession of the second half. Running back Zamir White scored on an 11-yard run, finishing an eight-play, 64-yard drive.
Rising rookie Jaishawn Barham started at middle linebacker and had an uneven performance, finishing with two tackles. In his first start, in the second preseason game at Arizona, he finished with five tackles and a tackle for loss. Sam Williams, a former second-round pick who might be on the bubble, came off the bench and played into the second half. Williams picked up a third-down sack in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Marist Liufau, who started at one of the edge spots, left the game in the first half with a wrist injury.
What about those wide receivers?
The Cowboys wide receiver room is one of the more competitive groups on the team. Jonathan Mingo didn’t play Friday night, leading one to believe he’s got the fifth spot among the receivers. Yet, the Cowboys could keep six receivers.
Camden Brown, who caught two touchdown passes in the first preseason game, had one catch for 27 yards and a drop in Friday’s game against the Saints. Brown has played well in camp and is pushing for a roster spot. There is another name that could get into the mix: Jordan Hudson, an undrafted receiver from SMU, had four catches for 97 yards and one touchdown reception. Hudson also had a special teams tackle. While Hudson’s efforts are worth noting, he might be practice squad bound.
Article continues below this ad
More from Cowboys-Saints
— Five takeaways from Cowboys-Saints: Will Joe Milton or Sam Howell be backup QB?
— What to make of Christian Parker’s defense with Cowboys’ preseason in the books
— Why the Cowboys can’t quite close the door on a Tyler Smith change to left tackle
— Brian Schottenheimer gives update on Cowboys’ Marist Liufau after injury vs. Saints
Article continues below this ad
— Cowboys’ Jordan Hudson is ‘focused on making this team.’ But if he doesn’t, he’s got options
— Schottenheimer: Cowboys’ backup QB race between Joe Milton, Sam Howell is ‘neck and neck’
— National reaction to Cowboys-Saints preseason finale: Sam Howell says ‘not so fast’