Greg Newsome II, Paulson Adebo and Deonte Banks have all been part of the conversation at cornerback throughout the summer. However, Newsome’s situation appeared to stand out after he did not play in the Giants’ preseason finale against the New York Jets while Adebo and Banks did.

That led to questions about whether Harbaugh already feels particularly comfortable with what Newsome has shown since joining the Giants. The head coach’s answer was revealing.

John Harbaugh praises Greg Newsome’s consistency

John Harbaugh made it clear that Newsome’s strong summer has not gone unnoticed. The Giants are confident in the veteran cornerback. “Yeah, we do. He was very, very consistent. Very consistent every single day, same guy, played at a high level. Expect him to play really well.”

That is significant for Newsome as he enters the 2026 season competing for an important role in New York’s secondary. While much of the attention has focused on Adebo and Banks, Harbaugh’s comments suggest Newsome has quietly built a strong case with his day-to-day performance.

The Giants acquired Newsome after he spent the first portion of his career with the Cleveland Browns, and his experience gives New York another proven option in a crowded cornerback room.

Giants’ CB competition remains wide open

Despite praising Newsome, John Harbaugh refused to provide a definitive answer when asked where the competition currently stands. “It stands where it stands. And we’ll be moving forward with it and see where it goes. How’s that? Is that sufficiently vague? We get some vague questions. So, sometimes I think I should be able to give some vague answers just being fair.”

Harbaugh’s response made one thing clear: the Giants are not ready to reveal exactly how the cornerback rotation will look against the Dallas Cowboys. And that could be intentional.

The competition between Newsome, Adebo and Banks gives the Giants flexibility, allowing them to potentially use different combinations depending on the matchup.

Who will start for Giants at CB?

John Harbaugh also revealed that the Giants could use a rotation rather than sticking with the same two cornerbacks throughout the game. “It could be that way. It could. Or it could be two guys out there the whole time.”

That leaves several possibilities open for Week 1. The Giants could rotate Newsome, Adebo and Banks during the game, or they could settle on two primary cornerbacks and give them the majority of the snaps.

Perhaps the most revealing part of Harbaugh’s comments came when he was asked directly whether he planned to name a starter. “I don’t know, probably not. There’s no reason to because if we name the starter then our opponents know how we’re going to go.”

During a press conference, Newsome was asked about his former AFC North foe, George Pickens. Newsome was a part of the Cleveland Browns while Pickens played for the Steelers. Now, Newsome reps the G-Men while Pickens has a lone-star helmet on him.

Newsome welcomed the matchup. “I’m super excited for the challenge, I’ll be ready”, he said. The CB also stated he believes he is one of the best in his position and he has to prove it week in and week out.

Pickens is a tough WR to guard

Given that Pickens has elite physical traits and circus-catch ability, even if he is guarded properly, he can still make incredible plays. At 6’3″ with long arms, he can reel in passes that seem completely uncatchable, making him a nightmare in 50/50 jump-ball situations. He had 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns for the Cowboys last season.

In five head-to-head games, Pickens has 18 catches for 324 yards and two touchdowns. That is around 64.8 yards per game. However, those stats are against Newsome teams, not specific snaps against the cornerback.

There’s bad blood between Newsome and Pickens

Newsome was also asked if he and Pickens would exchange Christmas cards. He said “Nah, wouldn’t do that.” And is clear why. Back in 2024, Pickens and Newsome had a physical altercation.

Pickens grabbed Newsome by the helmet and forcefully dragged him out of bounds toward the front row of the stands. As the clock hit zero, Newsome and Pickens were swinging at each other as security and officials tried to separate them. Hence, we’re in for an explosive treat in Week 1 with the Giants facing the Cowboys.

“I think when we looked at the whole body of work we felt like Sam had done more [in terms of executing the offense],” the head coach stated. Insider Todd Archer also revealed that Schotty does not rule out the possibility of bringing Milton back to the practice squad if he clears waivers, although it is also a decision that the QB will have to consider.

The support from the coaching staff for the former Tennessee Volunteers player was outstanding, even though their paths may not remain together in the short term. “I think Joe is going to be a terrific player in this league,” Schottenheimer said.

Milton’s numbers that failed to convince

Joe Milton III put up solid box-score numbers during the Cowboys’ preseason action, completing 29 of 43 passes (67.4%) for 378 yards, three passing touchdowns, and no interceptions, while adding 12 carries for 14 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Despite showing off his cannon arm and accounting for four total scores, his play lacked the overall consistency and down-to-down accuracy the coaching staff wanted to see.

As of now, only one backup for Prescott in Dallas

With just a few days remaining before the start of a new NFL season, one of the teams generating the most excitement, as usual, is the Dallas Cowboys. The staff led by Brian Schottenheimer will enter Week 1 with only Dak Prescott and Sam Howell available at quarterback.

Will the Cowboys bring in a new QB?

The short QB room in America’s Team could indicate that a new addition may be on the way. However, for now, it is unknown whether the Cowboys will bring in a new quarterback in the short term, although no options have been ruled out.

A new hope in Dallas

Names like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens make up the offense of a team with serious aspirations of reaching the Super Bowl. To achieve that, they will have to get off to a strong start in an NFL season that promises to be highly competitive.

• Week 1, at New York Giants (September 13)
• Week 2, vs Washington Commanders (September 20)
• Week 3, vs Baltimore Ravens (September 27)
• Week 4, at Houston Texans (October 4)
• Week 5, vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (October 8)

Joe Milton is a huge physical talent and teams like the New York Jets, who have been in the backup QB market, could see him as a high upside backup. Also, teams like the Miami Dolphins could see Milton as a project worth developing.

As for Dallas, Dak Prescott is still the QB1, clearly. The backup is now Sam Howell. The Cowboys, however, have only two quarterbacks on the depth chart. Hence, they should be eyeing someone else.

Joe Milton’s profile is very tempting

As stated, Milton has a very strong arm. However, that’s not the only thing that makes him and enticing project. Milton is also huge, strong, and has elite speed at 6’5″. Basically, he is a quarterback with a linebacker frame. The New York Jets are looking at Jake Browning, but could get swayed by Milton.

Hence, he fits into the Anthony Richardson, Cam Newton mold of physically imposing athletes with huge arms. However, consistency is key, and that’s what Milton hasn’t been able to maintain.

Updated Cowboys QB depth chart

As stated, this is a very thin QB room now. It is likely that the Cowboys go for another quarterback. However, it’ll be one that adapts better to the scheme they practice under head coach Brian Schottenheimer.

• Dak Prescott
• Sam Howell

The deal was reported by John Machota of The Athletic. Jones never delivered what was promised on the Steelers, with many lows and not as much highs. Given that he was a first round pick, he underperformed. He also had quite a severe neck injury that hampered him throughout the offseason.

The Steelers spent big-time draft capital this year in the offensive line, so they were comfortable sending Jones to Dallas. However, he will now, presumably, compete for a starting role with the Cowboys.

Will Broderick Jones start for the Cowboys?

Dallas is bringing back all starting linemen from a season ago. Jones should settle behind Terence Steele on the right tackle. However, while he might not start, he becomes a premium backup.

Jones is a clear upgrade over Drew Shelton and Nate Thomas, who have brought doubts at the swing tackle position. Jones represents an upgrade in quality and strengthened the depth. However, the price might have been to high.

Did the Cowboys pay too much?

A third round pick for a depth piece is a steep price to pay. However, this is only if the Cowboys actually see Jones as a depth piece. After all, in the case that Jones becomes a starter, this could be a fair deal.

A third round pick is a valued commodity and Jones wasn’t even close to being a lock for the Steelers’ 53-man roster. Hence, as of now, it seems like the Steelers won the trade massively.

On the Dallas side, coach Brian Schottenheimer said no Cowboys starters will play against New Orleans. Dallas will play Joe Milton III and Sam Howell at quarterback as the team sorts out its QB2 competition.

For the Saints, Zach Wilson and Spencer Rattler are both competing for the No. 2 spot, and so far, neither one of them has really taken the job. Wilson had his moments against the Jaguars, but the regression that took place against the Rams has to be noticed. Rattler has not been terrible, but he also has not been good.

Saints quarterback performances

Rattler finished the game against the Rams 14-of-23 for 141 yards with an interception that was returned for 100 yards. So, his interception was returned for nearly the same amount of yardage that he threw for. Wilson finished the day with six completions on 12 attempts for 55 yards and an interception as well.

The confidence in the Saints‘ backups is not high right now, but this Week 3 will be an opportunity for them to show that Preseason Week 2 was a fluke and not the norm.

Cowboys quarterback performances

Schottenheimer said that over the past two games, Milton has played beautifully and Howell has made some really good plays as well. The two quarterbacks have alternated the starting role over the past two weeks, so it will be interesting to see who gets the nod against the Saints if Prescott is held out.

In his start last week against the Cardinals, Milton finished 9-of-13 passing for 179 yards and two touchdowns while adding another touchdown on the ground. Not to mention, he had zero turnovers. Howell, on the other hand, finished that game 7-of-10 for 65 yards with one interception.

In the game against Seattle, Milton finished 12-of-15 for 107 yards and one touchdown. Howell finished 8-of-12 for 94 yards and one touchdown. Both finished with nearly identical passer ratings in that game, with Milton at 118.6 and Howell at 118.1.

How to watch Cowboys vs Saints in the USA

The Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints preseason game will be available to watch in the USA through Fubo, NFL+ and ESPN Unlimited.

Can I watch Cowboys vs Saints for free?

Fubo offers a 5-day free trial for eligible new subscribers, providing a potential way to watch Cowboys vs. Saints without paying upfront. The platform’s official listing for the matchup currently displays a “Try for free” option.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Cowboys and Saints meet in the final game of the 2026 NFL preseason, so the result itself will not affect either team’s regular-season record. The bigger stakes are on the roster bubble, with both coaching staffs using the final preseason opportunity to make decisions before the 53-man roster deadline.

Dallas has already identified its backup quarterback competition as one of the main storylines, with Joe Milton and Sam Howell battling for the job behind Dak Prescott. Milton enters the finale with momentum after his performance against the Cardinals, while Howell still has an opportunity to make the competition closer.

The Cowboys’ coaching staff has described both quarterbacks as capable options, but the final preseason game gives them another chance to evaluate how each handles extended playing time.

The Saints are in a different situation at quarterback and have decided to rest most of their starters against Dallas. Head coach Kellen Moore believes the team’s three joint practices against Jacksonville, Dallas and the Rams provided enough work for the projected first unit, totaling 145 joint-practice snaps. That shifts the focus toward players competing for roster spots and depth roles.

What time is the Cowboys vs Saints match?

The Cowboys vs. Saints game kicks off on Friday, August 28, at 8:00 PM ET. The game will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with the local kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM CT.

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM
• Central Time: 7:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM

“This is long from over,” the head coach said during his press conference. “We’re going back to Frisco, thankfully, get a chance to be home and put some more training camp days in. You’ve got to give Joe his credit, he’s played really well the past two games, but we have a lot of confidence in Sam as well.”

The main options to eventually replace Prescott during the season come down to just two names: Joe Milton III and Sam Howell. With one preseason game still to play, Schottenheimer still has an important decision to make.

Milton III makes strong impression against Cardinals

America’s Team has been showing a strong performance this preseason, with two wins in two games so far. In their latest outing, a 34-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, Joe Milton III made the most of his opportunity.

The former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback started the game at State Farm Stadium, going 9-of-13 for 179 yards and a touchdown. Howell, who replaced him, went 7-of-10 for 65 yards and an interception.

Will Prescott see action in the preseason?

AT&T Stadium will host the Dallas Cowboys’ final preseason game on August 28, against the New Orleans Saints. As Schottenheimer indicated weeks ago, Dak Prescott is unlikely to see any action.

The reasons behind this decision are more than clear: to preserve the health of their biggest star and have him enter the 2026 NFL season at 100%. This year, the Cowboys want to compete for the NFC East and, why not, dream of returning to the Super Bowl.

How to watch Cardinals vs Cowboys in the USA

The Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network and Telemundo on Saturday in the United States. For viewers who prefer streaming, the game will be available through Fubo and NFL+.

Can I watch Cardinals vs Cowboys for free?

Fubo currently offers a 5-day free trial on some plans, according to its official U.S. website. Since it carries NFL Network, eligible new subscribers can use the trial to watch the Cardinals vs. Cowboys without paying during the trial period.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys meet in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason, with the game taking place at State Farm Stadium. While the result will not count toward the regular-season standings, the matchup is an important evaluation opportunity for both coaching staffs as they continue shaping their rosters ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Arizona comes into the game after a 27-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1, following a 33-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game. The Cardinals are playing four preseason games this year because of their participation in the Hall of Fame Game, making the matchup with Dallas their third exhibition of the summer.

One of the biggest storylines for Arizona is the status of Jeremiyah Love. The rookie running back, selected No. 3 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries against Las Vegas but suffered an ankle injury and is expected to miss at least one week. His absence gives other running backs an opportunity to make their case as the Cardinals continue evaluating their depth chart.

Dallas also arrives with momentum after opening its preseason with a 17-7 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. The Cowboys’ defense was particularly impressive, allowing just 76 yards over Seattle’s final seven drives, while first-round safety Caleb Downs made his preseason debut.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has already identified areas for improvement ahead of the trip to Arizona, making this game another valuable test for the defense and the players competing for roster spots.

What time is the Cardinals vs Cowboys match?

The Cardinals vs. Cowboys game kicks off on Saturday, August 22, at 10:00 PM ET. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 10:00 PM
• Central Time: 9:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 8:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 7:00 PM

On the Cardinals’ side, head coach Mike LaFleur announced Thursday that Gardner Minshew II will make his first start for the franchise in Arizona’s lone home preseason game against the Cowboys. LaFleur added that Minshew will play at least half of the game.

Uncertainty remains higher for the Cowboys. Sam Howell started in Week 1 and played well, but Joe Milton delivered an equally impressive performance. While Dallas has not announced a starter yet, allowing Milton to see how he responds remains a logical option. Furthermore, head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed that no Cowboys starters will play against Arizona.

How both teams enter Week 2

The Cowboys come off a win at Seattle, where they rallied from a slow start to beat the defending Super Bowl champions. Cardinals opened with a last-play loss to Carolina in a Hall of Fame Game that delivered an instant exhibition classic before routing the Las Vegas Raiders.

Dallas Cowboys hold a 1-0 record this preseason following their opening win at Seattle. Dallas went 7-9-1 during last year’s NFL regular season and aims for a strong campaign in 2026.

Arizona stands at 1-1 this preseason after falling to Carolina in the Hall of Fame Game and defeating the Raiders. Cardinals posted a 3-14 record last year and still have areas to improve as preseason action continues.

Dallas Cowboys kick off against Arizona Cardinals at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Saturday, Aug. 22, on NFL Network as expectations build for the upcoming season.

The league fined both Dallas and New Orleans $500,000 after several fights broke out during the practices in Oxnard, California, with the NFL emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship and player safety during joint sessions. Jones acknowledged that the fine was significant and said the Cowboys plan to appeal the league’s decision.

However, the owner also made clear that the Cowboys cannot simply dismiss what happened as part of the competitive nature of training camp. “Without any humor at all, this is a serious matter and it needs to be taken that way by everybody associated at the club level, right up through the top. You have to have consequences and that needs to register. We all know, whether you play in a game or out here in society, if you aren’t sensitive about the consequences of your behavior, then you’ll get brought to your knees pretty quick.”

What happened between Cowboys and Saints?

The Cowboys’ punishment could also go beyond the NFL’s $500,000 penalty. Jones said Dallas will review the incidents and impose fines on individual players deemed responsible for the altercations. One player who drew particular attention was linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku, who was ejected from practice after throwing a punch, marking his second ejection during training camp.

Jones’ comments reflect the seriousness with which the Cowboys are treating the incident. Joint practices are designed to give teams valuable competitive work against another opponent, but repeated fights can eliminate that benefit and increase the risk of injuries before the regular season even begins.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer had already expressed disappointment with the practice, while Saints coach Kellen Moore also acknowledged that the session included behavior that went beyond normal football intensity.

The NFL had reminded teams before training camp that they were responsible for preventing unsportsmanlike behavior during joint practices. The league’s decision to hand both organizations $500,000 fines demonstrates how seriously it is enforcing that message. Jones himself acknowledged that the penalty was a way for the league to get everyone’s attention, particularly because there are fewer traditional consequences such as game penalties during a practice.