3 Cowboys who surprised, 3 cut candidates after month of training camp

The Dallas Cowboys are done with the travel portion of their training camp. There’s no more Oxnard, California weather, and the team will be home for their final preseason game against the New Orleans Saints . Camp’s been going on for roughly a month, and the 53-man roster is becoming more clear as cutdown day approaches.

There have been some surprises and disappointments in this year's camp, which is always the case and can make for some difficult decisions. Here are three players who have worked their way into the discussion, and three who may have played their way off the Cowboys’ roster.

WR Camden Brown

The buzz surrounding Brown was building as the team’s first preseason game approached. The undrafted free agent wide receiver was one of the players to watch, and he hasn’t disappointed in the two exhibition games.

Brown led the Cowboys in receiving yards in each of the two contests, totaling 139 yards and two touchdowns on just five receptions. Three of those catches from Brown have been big plays, boosting his case for inclusion.

. @Qbjayy7 to @CamdenBrown7 for a HUGE gain❗️ 📺:  #DALvsAZ  on CBS11   📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/7pAfvQ9tid pic.twitter.com/vj4VZ0O8Wo

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 23, 2026 There’s strong justification for Brown to be on the roster, and it’s hard to believe he won’t be after two good performances. If the Cowboys did cut Brown, he probably doesn’t make it back as a practice squad candidate, so the team should be keeping the playmaker.

That was not something many would have predicted a month ago.

Verdict: IN

LB Marist Liufau

It was a surprise when the Cowboys selected the linebacker out of Notre Dame in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, and questions about taking Liufau so high continue to seem justified. Liufau hadn’t done much in his first two seasons in Dallas, and that hasn’t changed during this training camp either.

The Cowboys intially moved Liufau outside to be more of a pass-rushing LB this offseason, yet that hasn’t translated into becoming a pressure player. According to camp observers, Liufau hasn’t stood out and the team moved him back inside for some snaps in last week’s practice.

In the blowout win against the Arizona Cardinals , it was another quiet performance and Liufau playing into the fourth quarter of the preseason isn’t a good sign. The Cowboys might need to go deep at other positions and that may come at Liufau’s expense.

Verdict: OUT

RB Malik Davis

Through two preseason games, it’s been easy to see that Davis has been the best running back on the field for the Cowboys. Davis has averaged 5.7 yards a carry on his 12 rushes, while showing the patience and vision that makes him a veteran runner who is best suited to be Javonte Williams’ backup, with the 1,300-yard rusher getting the preseason off like all of Dallas' starters.

Davis also scored a touchdown on a reception against the Cardinals.

heading into the third #Cowboys offensive drive of this game: Malik Davis is averaging 5.8 yards per carry on 5 carries, and has an 8-yard receiving TD.

— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 23, 2026 Coming into the summer, the hope was that one, or both, second-year RBs would be unseating Davis as the No. 2 RB on the depth chart, but that hasn’t happened. Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah have had their moments, but Davis continues to be the better player and has the consistency the offense needs if Williams were to be out for any amount of time.

Davis also offers value on special teams as the punt protector, so he looks like he’s earned his way onto the roster. The veteran always seems to find his way back to the Cowboys.

Verdict: IN

CB Caelen Carson

The third-year cornerback had some momentum heading into camp, but that hype has died down. Carson opened the summer as the fourth CB on the roster, yet his performances in the last month could have him on the outside of the roster bubble.

In the first preseason game, Carson got into trouble by racking up three penalties on the first two drives, and he hasn’t done much to work his way up a depth chart that needs quality CBs.

There was hope that Carson could elevate his play this season, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Carson is fighting for a roster spot with Derion Kendrick, Reddy Steward, and Josh Butler, among others. If the Cowboys go long at safety, it could also come at Carson’s expense.

That’s a steep fall for a CB the Cowboys had high praise for when camp began.

Verdict: OUT

iOL Nick Leverett

After Matt Hennessy was lost for the season, the Cowboys had questions at backup center this summer and Leverett looks like he’s the answer. It might have been a slow start, but Leverett has been trending towards a roster spot as camp and the preseason has gone on.

Leverett had a good showing against the Seattle Seahawks in the opener, which garnered him more time as the second-string center last week in practice. The veteran had another solid game versus the Cardinals, which could lead to a roster spot.

I see you, Nick Leverett!! Nice combo to the 2nd level and a fantastic finish on the LB. LOVE TO SEE IT. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/T9FRf0S3Xs

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) August 23, 2026 It was hard to fathom Leverett as the Cowboys’ backup center a few weeks ago, but that looks like the case now.

Verdict: IN

Out: Sam Howell

Early reports in camp had the veteran quarterback as the leader to be Dak Prescott’s backup, but that no longer feels like the case. Howell may not have lost the job as much as Milton won it with his brilliant performance in the Week 2 preseason win.

Milton slightly outplayed Howell in the first exhibition game, then Milton came back and dominated in Arizona. As Milton was playing nearly flawlessly, Howell threw an interception that could prove costly to his chances.

The Cowboys have decisions to make at other positions that could force them to keep only two QBs on the roster. Right now, it looks like Howell&#...

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →