Jonathan Mingo will miss at least four weeks with a sprained PCL suffered in the Cowboys preseason clash with the Ravens. The 24-year-old Ole Miss product had been a midseason addition for Dallas after a Panthers trade, logging 17 receptions in 2024 after a 43-catch rookie year. He flashed in the latest exhibition with a 49-yard grab from Joe Milton, showing the potential depth he would’ve provided behind a top duo. His absence will put more on the Dallas receivers in the short term and could force climbing the depth chart for others if the spot isn’t used for another position.

Dallas counters with a dynamic WR pairing in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, plus Jalen Tolbert who posted solid gains last year. KaVontae Turpin remains a bundle of gadget plays and return ability. Milton’s link to Mingo in the preseason hints at possible increased target distribution for Lamb, Pickens, Tolbert, and Milton-favored options. The injury landscape extends beyond Mingo, with Tyler Guyton nursing an ailment up front and Overshown, Diggs, and Revel Jr. working back from season-ending injuries, which could pressure overall depth early in the year.

The Ravens game was preseason, but the ripple effects for Dallas fantasy output matter. Expect greater emphasis on Lamb and Pickens, with Tolbert and Turpin vying for additional looks as the offense stabilizes. In fantasy terms, the path to upside for DAL pass-catchers will hinge on Milton’s rapport and how quickly the staff can plug a reliable fourth option.

The Dallas Cowboys pick up camp routine at The Star after Oxnard, with Micah Parsons’ hold-in status still front and center as they prepare for a final preseason date with Atlanta. Parsons’ absence in practice persists as contract talks roll on, though team ownership has repeatedly downplayed any changes to his five-year option and overall status. Parsons remains engaged in meetings and walkthroughs, keeping his influence on the defense alive even as he weighs the extension he’s seeking. Trevon Diggs is rehabbing his knee and watching from the sidelines, while interior disruption players like Osa Odighizuwa and DeMarvion Overshown rotate through drills. The Cowboys’ health and morale appear to hinge on how quickly Parsons can be aligned with a new deal, while the club readies a routine that blends camp chatter with game prep for Atlanta. Fantasy managers should watch Parsons closely for timing and availability, as any extension news could swing defensive expectations.

Jerry Jones has signaled nothing new on contract talks, keeping the hold-in narrative alive while Parsons remains under the fifth-year option at $21.3 million. The dynamic isn’t just about one player; it affects how the defense edges the season, how much Aron Draft stock or IDP value gets baked in, and whether Dallas leans on others to shoulder pass-rush duties while Parsons weighs his options. As Diggs rehabs and Odighizuwa circulates on the interior, the Cowboys’ roster decisions will shape preseason usage and fantasy upside in a division that demands edge pressure and lockdown coverage.

Dallas’ young defensive core showed leadership and cohesion off the field even as contract talks swirl around Micah Parsons. A birthday-night video featuring Parsons carrying the cake for Odighizuwa and Overshown highlighted a locker room vibe that could translate to a tougher, more connected unit this season. Parsons remains the standout talent, but Odighizuwa and Overshown are emerging as foundational pieces alongside interior disruptors like Mazi Smith.

Odighizuwa’s four-year, $80 million extension with $58 million guaranteed cements him as an engine of the line, per Matt Eberflus. He’s already mentoring the younger tackles and building the chemistry the defense needs under Brian Schottenheimer’s culture-first approach. The trio’s growth, plus the run-stuffing presence of Smith and depth at DT, could unlock more pressure on the quarterback for Parsons and the edge group. Even amid a reported trade stance from Parsons, the Cowboys seem intent on sustaining a disciplined, competitive environment that fantasy managers should watch closely as the defense stabilizes under new leadership.

The dynamic around Parsons aside, the Cowboys’ culture and interior backbone appear set to drive a steady fantasy floor for the DAL defense. Overshown’s mobility and Odighizuwa’s consistency create upside in IDP formats, while Smith’s interior presence should keep Dallas stout against the run. In short, the room is building toward a cohesive, playmaking unit that should remain a relevant, dependable fantasy asset during a season likely defined by growth under Eberflus and Schottenheimer.

The Broncos rode to a productive showing from the backups in their preseason tilt with the Cardinals, but the night will be remembered for a worrying knee injury to Nick Gargiulo, a seventh‑round rookie from South Carolina who spent 2024 on Denver’s practice squad and had been pushing for a roster spot this season. The injury, seen as potentially season‑ending, compounds Denver’s already lengthy injury report as the team continues to sort depth on the line. Veteran disruptions also loom with Matt Henningsen and Johnny Walker Jr. out for the year, while Drew Sanders and Nate Adkins are expected to miss the start of the season, thinning interior and tackle depth by design.

Fantasy and dynasty managers should take note of the ripple effects. Gargiulo’s loss tightens the competition for reserve OL jobs and could shift who gets late‑season opportunities or practice squad stashes. The Broncos will lean on the next‑man‑up group to absorb more reps in the weeks ahead, and the Cardinals game underscored how critical depth on the line becomes as the roster transitions from preseason depth to regular-season roles. Updates on Gargiulo’s prognosis will matter for late‑round picks and top backup targets alike.