Dallas Cowboys defensive back Shavon Revel (28) defends a pass to wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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OXNARD, Calif — Football is known as a game of inches. Or seconds. Or any other way you want to measure the thin margin between success and defeat.
Over the last few practices, the performance of second-year corner Shavon Revel Jr. has showcased it.
Revel found himself with some tough matchups the first three days of training camp. He’d often line up outside against CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens — two top-five receivers in the NFL as Revel called them on Monday. Revel often was in good position against Lamb and Pickens. Close, however, wasn’t good enough. Pickens and Lamb both had multiple catches against Revel.
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Revel got his revenge on Monday. He had multiple pass breakups during the first padded practice of training camp, including multiple against Lamb. He had one pass interference call.
For the most part, when it came to the margins, Revel found himself on the winning side on Monday.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb wears a net over his helmet as he catches ball from a throwing machine during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive linemen Rashan Gary (7) and Quinnen Williams (92) take the field for a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) catches a ball tossed by tight ends coach Lunda Wells during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens steps around a bouncing exercise ball tossed his way after catching a pass during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Kavontae Turpin returns a kickoff during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end DJ Rogers (49) works against linebacker Langston Patterson (47) during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker (left) talks with head coach Brian Schottenheimer during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford catches tennis balls during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Cobie Durant (2) intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker James Houston takes a tumble over defensive back Alijah Clark (38) as running back Israel Abanikanda (30) carries the ball during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant (85) collapses to the turf with an injury on a running play by running back Israel Abanikanda (30) during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant receives medical attention after being injured during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant leaves the field on a cart after being injured during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Sam Howell (16) throws a pass during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) can’t make a catch as defensive back Derion Kendrick (15) defends during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) laughs with linebacker Jaishawn Barham (55) during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) wrestles the ball away from defensive back Daron Bland (26) as they fight to catch a pass in the end zone during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Guyton celebrates a score by the offense during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) wrestles the ball away from defensive back Daron Bland (26) as they fight to catch a pass in the end zone during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku reacts to a play during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) makes a touchdown catch as defensive back Markquese Bell (14) defends during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) laughs on the sidelines during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys equipment manager Bucky Buchanan blows an air horn to end a period during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Tyler Johnson (15), wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19), defensive back Caleb Downs (13) and defensive back Ameer Speed (39) run during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys players and coaches gather around head coach Brian Schottenheimer during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb wears a net over his helmet as he catches ball from a throwing machine during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Fans looking for autographs try to get the attention of Dallas Cowboys wide receivers Ceedee Lamb after a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receivers Ceedee Lamb (88) and George Pickens (3) sign autographs after a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs signs an autograph for Dailyn Tucker, 5, following a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) signs autographs after a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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“You can tell by watching last week … that they kind of made me better,” said Revel, “going up against those boys and competing against those boys every day, even our backups … they’re sharpening my skills each and every day.”
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Revel’s success on Monday was mirrored by the entire defense. Christian Parker’s unit shined on the first day of pads. They suffocated an offense with GOTI (Greatest Offense There Is) aspirations by flashing a combination of speed, physicality, and intelligence.
Quarterback Dak Prescott was very sharp through the first three practices. On Monday he unofficially finished 11-of-21 passing with an interception.
Fellow corner Cobie Durant probably had the play of the day when he intercepted Prescott in the end zone. Durant started off in man coverage against Ryan Flournoy, but pivoted to undercutting Lamb without looking at Prescott. It was the right call. Durant then stepped in front of Prescott’s pass for an interception.
Overall, it looked like the Cowboys defense improved from where it was earlier in camp. Revel, in particular, showed perhaps the biggest improvement. Or perhaps, he just overcame a thin margin.
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When asked how small the margin for success is when covering Lamb and Pickens, Revel laughed.
“I wish I could answer that question,” said Revel, who’s in his first healthy training camp for the Cowboys. “But, hey, just be locked in. Be locked in because those guys are no joke. Seriously: it’s one slip up, and y’all have seen it.”
On Monday, we saw a different story.
Notable
— DaRon Bland and fourth round rookie corner Devin Moore also had pass breakups when covering Lamb on Monday. Moore even got in Lamb’s face after to seemingly talk a little bit of trash.
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— Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson returned after an excused absence. He had a nice touchdown catch from Prescott in the back of the end zone.
— Schottenheimer said he’s excited about his safety depth and he should be. Former undrafted free agents Julius Wood and Alijah Clark are a testament to it. Both have been flying around at training camp.
— DeMarvion Overshown had the first big hit of training camp. He ran full speed on a toss to Jaydon Blue and sent fullback Hunter Luepke flying, forcing Blue back into other defenders.
— Tyler Guyton continues to be the only left tackle with the starters for the Cowboys. Schottenheimer said they would give each candidate for the job multiple practices with the starting team before giving other players a chance at left tackle. We’ll see if the Cowboys switch it up on Tuesday.
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— For what it’s worth: T.J. Bass seems to be penciled in as the team’s backup center. The important depth piece has also started at both guard positions for the Cowboys too.
— Rookie first round pick Caleb Downs continues to show his versatility. He avoided a block from Ryan Flournoy on one play and made a tackle at the line of scrimmage. He also had tight coverage on Lamb when Bland had his pass breakup against Lamb.
— Prescott wore a leg sleeve for the first time in training camp. He wore the same sleeve in the off-season when he was dealing with knee soreness. He wasn’t limited at all on Monday.
— Cowboys safety P.J. Locke returned to practice in a limited fashion after hyperextending his knee during the first practice last week. He didn’t participate in team drills, however. Fellow defensive back Zion Childress (hamstring) and Jalen Thompson (hip) missed their second-straight practice.
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— Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant was carted off with a knee injury after he was hit in the leg while blocking Sam Williams on a run play. Fant has played in 11 games in three seasons with the Cowboys after going undrafted in 2023. The team is still awaiting a MRI.