The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means it’s almost time for Dallas Cowboys training camp. As fans await the most exciting time of the summer, Sportsnaut has you covered with everything you need to know.
Training camp is an important part of the NFL schedule. It’s the first real opportunity for fans to see their favorite teams, attend practices to watch their beloved players and get an early glimpse at upcoming contributors who will become household names before long.
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For Dallas, this year is especially important. While the Cowboys are coming off consecutive 12-win seasons under head coach Mike McCarthy, they haven’t reached the NFC Championship Game in nearly three decades. Needless to say, that puts everyone under pressure this year.
Here’s everything you need to know about Dallas Cowboys training camp 2023.
Dallas Cowboys training camp schedule
The Dallas Cowboys training camp schedule begins on Wednesday, July 26 at 11:30 a.m. and it’s an open practice for the fans. Here’s the full Cowboys’ training camp schedule at Oxnard, including times and special dates. Each of the practices listed is open to the public.
- July 26 – Cowboys training camp begins @ 11:30 AM
- July 27 – Open practice @ 11:30 AM
- July 29 – Open practice – Cowboys Back Together Weekend & Opening Ceremonies
- 9:30 AM – Fan Activations
- 11 AM – Opening Ceremony
- 11:30 AM – Practice begins
- July 31 – Open practice @ 11 AM
- Aug. 1 – Practice @ 11 AM
- Aug. 3 – Practice @ 11 AM
- Aug. 5 – Practice @ 11 AM
- Aug. 7 – Practice @ 11 AM – Heroes Appreciation Day
- Aug. 8 – Practice @ 11 AM
- Aug. 10 – Practice @ 11 AM
- Aug. 12 – Preseason game vs Jacksonville Jaguars
- Aug. 14 – Practice @ 11 AM
- Aug. 15 – Final open practice
Dallas Cowboys training camp storylines
Keeping an eye on the Cowboys’ offensive line
Dallas used to have the best offensive line in the NFL, but injuries and retirement took a toll. Heading into the 2023 season, the Cowboys could have a top-10 offensive line if everything goes right. However, this is a unit with some questions heading into training camp.
During OTAs, Tyron Smith flipped from right tackle to left side and that kicker Tyler Smith inside to left guard. It’s probably the top offensive line configuration for Dallas, but right tackle is a question with Terence Steele (ACL) sidelined. Considering how McCarthy wants to run this offense in 2023, a healthy and complete offensive line is imperative for success.
Cowboys’ kicker competition under the spotlight
Brett Maher was one of the best kickers during the regular season in 2022, then a historically bad performance in the Wild Card round cost him his job. Dallas is attempting to make it work with Tristan Vizcaino, but his limited track record suggests he isn’t a safe bet. The Cowboys will bring in significant competition and this is one of the biggest training camp battles across the NFL in 2023.
Related: Best solutions to Dallas Cowboys’ kicker problems
Dallas Cowboys’ injuries heading into training camp
Most teams head into training camp healthy, that’s not the case for Dallas. Tony Pollard (leg), Terence Steele (ACL), Zack Martin (soft tissue injury), Luke Schoonmaker (foot), Jourdan Lewis (Lisfranc) and Malik Hooker (thumb surgery) are among the important Cowboys’ players either recovering from injuries or sidelined heading into training camp. Dallas doesn’t have a ton of depth on its roster, so its imperative that starters and role players are healthy by Week 1.
Players to watch during Cowboys training camp
Luke Schoonmaker, tight end
After letting Dalton Schultz depart in free agency, the Dallas Cowboys are rolling with Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker as their top tight ends in 2023. Ferguson will open as the starter, especially with Schoonmaker dealing with plantar fasciitis at OTAs. When Schoonmaker is healthy, though, he’s a well-rounded tight end who should show flashes of his upside this summer and should become the Cowboys’ TE2.
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Mazi Smith, defensive tackle
Dallas recognized heading into the 2023 NFL Draft that it needed a lot more power and size on the interior defensive line. Enter Mazi Smith, the 6-foot-3 and 323-pound defensive lineman who packs a ton of power and athleticism into his frame. Drawing frequent NFL comparisons to Dontari Poe, Smith has the forceful punch, quick feet and hands to be a force on the interior. While he won’t be a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie, Smith’s performance in training camp can show how important he’ll be to the Cowboys defensive line this season.
Sam Williams, edge rusher
One of the few remaining weaknesses on the Cowboys’ roster is the uncertain depth at pass rusher behind Micah Parsons and Randy Gregory. Fortunately for Dallas, it might have another difference-maker emerging. Sam Williams, the 56th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, earned a lot of praise from Cowboys’ defensive line coach Aden Durde
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“You can see that he’s learned how to develop himself, and that’s not to say that we don’t develop them, but the biggest jump for Sam is he’s becoming a true professional. I see the work that he puts in and the structure that he’s put in off of the field. He comes in and you see his flexibility has changed, his coordination has changed, his stance is better. The things he’s needed to work on, he’s gone out and worked on and improved.”
Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Aden Durde on Sam Williams (via dallascowboys.com)
Fans and beat writers will keep a watchful eye on Williams this summer. Dallas needs a third pass rusher and there’s no doubt Williams has the talent to become that guy. If he makes the second-year leap, Dallas could have the best defense in football this year.
Tony Pollard, running back
Tony Pollard was one of the best running backs in football last season. Unfortunately, on the verge of landing a huge contract, he fractured his fibula in the Divisional Round. Dallas trusted his recovery enough to give him the fully-guaranteed franchise tag and Pollard said he’ll be ready for Cowboys training camp. While Dallas might limit his first-team reps in July, explosive runs from Pollard and the confidence to drive off his leg and make moves this summer would bode well for the Cowboys’ rushing attack during the regular season.
Related: NFL offense rankings
Michael Gallup, wide receiver
Expectations were too high for Michael Gallup in 2022. In his first season back from an ACL tear, the 6-foot-1 receiver struggled to regain his form. He ranked 102nd in yards after catch (98), 96th in target separation (1.31 yards) and 91st in yards per route run (1.08), per Player Profiler.
More than a year removed from ACL surgery, Gallup says the “spring” in his movement is back. If that’s the case, he can be a far more efficient wide receiver in 2023 and would fit perfectly as the third pass-catching weapon in this offense.
Can you go to Cowboys training camp?
Fans are welcome to attend Cowboys training camp 2023. Just as it was last year, attendance at the River Ridge Playing Fields in California is free. When the team returns to Frisco to wrap up its training camp in August, there will be two free practices for fans to attend.
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Where is Dallas Cowboys training camp 2023?
The Cowboys training camp 2023 will be held at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. You can find the River Ridge Playing Fields at 2501 Ventura Road, Oxnard, CA 93036.
What are the dates for the Dallas Cowboys training camp?
The 2023 Dallas Cowboys training camp opens on July 26 with the final open practice scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 15. The Cowboys will have 12 training camp practices open to the public this summer.
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Why are the Cowboys having training camp in California?
Dallas Cowboys training camp is held in California to avoid the summer Texas heat. Texas averages 91.8 degrees in July and 87 degrees in August 2022, per the National Weather Service. Oxnard, California averages highs of 74 degrees in July and 75 degrees in August. As owner Jerry Jones explained, holding training camp in California means more practice time for the Cowboys.
“You do get a lot more reps, a lot better preparation in California than you do in Texas. That’s one reason (former coach) Tom Landry and the Cowboys came out here for 27 years. It’s just a better place to get your team ready to play”
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on training camp beind held in Calfornia (H/T VCstar.com)
