OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys’ first preseason game is in the books.

It was another loss, if you count. Dallas hasn’t opened the preseason with a win in seven years.

Does it matter? Not really. The focus at this stage of training camp is evaluating the roster, developing players and getting everyone ready for the game against Cleveland that opens the regular season next month.

“In some ways it looked like we were playing our first game,” head coach Mike McCarthy said of the 13-12 loss. “But other than that, I’m really happy with the turnovers and the way we took care of the football.”

“What was it, plus 4?”

That was it. The Cowboys defense managed four interceptions, while the offense didn’t lose the ball once.

“We feel like we’re off to a solid start,” McCarthy said.

Here is our second attempt to add to the 53-man roster following the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

Quarterbacks (3)

Players: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance.

Lance had 41 pass attempts in the preseason loss. Rush had three. Prescott did not play. Sounds like a blueprint for the rest of this preseason. Rush will probably get more work against the Las Vegas Raiders than he did against the Rams, but the plan is for Lance to get the bulk of the opportunities.

Running backs (4)

Players: Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Hunter Luepke.

The leading runner in the season opener was the quarterback. Lance had 44 yards on the ground. The five backs carrying the ball combined for 49 yards on 17 carries, averaging 2.8 yards. This position is still a work in progress.

Wide Receivers (5)

Players: CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks.

The top four spots seem taken. If the Cowboys decide to keep just five receivers, it will be a tough competition. Brooks has the edge right now and flashed his potential again with two catches for 49 yards against the Rams. But Jalen Cropper has looked good over the last week or so. Tyron Billy-Johnson and rookie Ryan Flournoy have also had their moments.

Tight Ends (4)

Players: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens, Princeton Fant.

Stephens seems to have the best chance at third. He had three catches for 19 yards in the opener. Keep an eye on rookie free agent Brevyn Spann-Ford, who had two catches for 13 yards in the game. He could make the game interesting.

Offensive Line (9)

Players: Zack Martin, Tyler Smith, Terence Steele, Tyler Guyton, Chuma Edoga, Brock Hoffman, Cooper Beebe, Asim Richards, TJ Bass.

The starting lineup against the Rams was, from left to right: Edoga-Richards-Hoffman-Bass-Matt Waletzko. Edoga is expected to begin the season as a swing tackle if Guyton continues to make progress at left tackle. But if the toe injury Edoga suffered against the Rams is serious, a spot on the roster could open up.

Defensive line (9)

Players: DeMarcus Lawrence, Marshawn Kneeland, Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Viliami Fehoko, Chauncey Golston, Carl Davis, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Shaka Toney.

The rotation here is far from set. Muhammad and Toney, the two veterans the club signed after Sam Williams was out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, are pushing for a change.

Linebackers (6)

Players: Micah Parsons, Damone Clark, Eric Kendricks, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau, Jason Johnson

The Cowboys have a knack for signing one or two – or three – undrafted rookie free agents who earn a spot and stay for a while based primarily on their performance on special teams. Could Central Florida’s Johnson follow that path this season?

Corner (6)

Players: Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Caelen Carson, Andrew Booth, CJ Goodwin.

Carson has moved up to the fourth cornerback spot. If you keep Goodwin open for special teams, there’s likely only one spot left. Eric Scott had a pick on Sunday, but also gave up some plays. Booth, acquired from Minnesota in exchange for Nahshon Wright, should make a strong bid for that spot.

Security (4)

Players: Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas.

It can be argued that no position on the roster is stronger than the two-man line. Bell was fabulous in the opening game, and if he continues to play like this, the coaching staff will be looking for ways to get him on the field more often.

Specialists (3)

Players: Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg.

It turns out Aubrey isn’t perfect. He only made four of his five field goal attempts in the opening game. The only one he missed was, of course, from 65 yards.

Catch David Moore every Monday through Friday at 9:35 a.m. with The Musers during training camp and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:15 p.m. on the Hardline on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM).

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