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 Cowboys return home to AT&T Stadium for Week 2 of the preseason, facing the Baltimore Ravens in a marquee tune‑up that doubles as a barometer for Dallas’ offense and depth. Joe Milton Jr. will start, seeking a more consistent, crisp showing after the opener against the Rams, while Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb were visible in uniform during pregame, hinting at timing and rhythm drills with top targets. Jalen Tolbert and Cooper Beebe figure prominently in the notes, with Beebe snapping at center as Dallas tries to stabilize the interior line and Milton tests his chemistry with the pass catchers.

Mazi Smith is highlighted as a league-ready difference-maker who’s entering his third season with no excuses, a storyline that dovetails with the Cowboys’ preseason evaluation of the defensive line and its push‑through potential. The Ravens loom as the Week 2 opponent, and the Dallas contingent is focused on a cleaner, more consistent performance after a mixed first outing. The presence of Milton, alongside Prescott’s re-emergence as a signal-caller and Lamb’s continued elite production, underpins a fantasy lens that will watch Milton’s growth, Tolbert’s route‑running, and Beebe’s snap count as the team tries to translate practice tempo into game-day efficiency.

From a fantasy perspective, Milton’s workload and efficiency will be the spark to watch if he holds the Week 2 lead. Lamb remains a premier target, Tolbert could see more reps as Milton pushes the ball downfield, and Beebe’s center role could unlock smoother interior execution. Prescott’s involvement in pregame and Beebe’s emergence offer clues on how Dallas might deploy its best weapons when the regular season arrives, even as the depth players seek to seize late-summer opportunities against Baltimore.

Dallas’ receiver room is crowded and compelling, with Lamb and Pickens atop the depth chart and a tight competition behind them. Turpin and Tolbert are the likely third and fourth options, while Mingo and Brooks push for snaps and special-teams roles. The group could end up five or six deep, with Holden and Flournoy on the bubble depending on practice and preseason showings. The emphasis on real competition signals a high-stakes two weeks of camp and exhibition games for every candidate.

Coaches prize versatility and depth, making each rep valuable. Turpin’s multi-positional use and Brooks’ special-teams value stand out, while Mingo’s size and Tolbert’s prior rapport with Dak shape the likely floor and ceiling of the five-to-six-man unit. Fantasy managers should monitor how these players separate in practice and preseason targets, as even subtle shifts could ripple into opening-week lineups and weekly waiver decisions.

Oxnard’s training-camp finale underscored a 365-day, evaluation-forward mindset for the Cowboys, with roster depth and competition front and center as players push for roles before cut-down day. Zion Childress has surged to the nickel, challenging for a starting spot and signaling a potential undrafted path to Week 1 reps. Mafah impressed with a workmanlike, instinctive run style, while Blue’s ankle and Sanders’ knee adjustments shaped early opportunities for the rookie to rise. Linebacker depth has brightened, led by Liufau, James, Clark, Sanborn and Murray, giving Dallas a more versatile second level. In the secondary, injuries and ambiguity in the corner group have narrowed options, heightening urgency to identify Week 1 contributors. Tolbert’s non-stat contributions and the broader WR room remain under watch as coaches push players to prove they can lift the run game and blocking discipline. Jerry Jones and Schottenheimer stress patient evaluation as the team edges toward roster decisions.

Key risers and fallers: Childress climbed from the bottom to most nickel reps, with Hall pushing for time and Bland waiting for outside duties. Mafah’s stock rose as he ran with urgency in Oxnard, while Blue’s ankle and Sanders’ knee opened doors for Mafah to show more in practice and preseason. Linebackers Liufau, James, Clark, Sanborn and Murray rebuilt depth with physical play and schemes. The cornerback room faced more hurdles: Carson’s knee, Revel Jr.’s gradual return, and Diggs/Butler health keep four corners in flux. Mazi Smith has spoken honestly about progress; Toia flashed potential on the interior. Tolbert’s blocking and versatility keep him in the conversation as a secondary option behind Turpin and Pickens-era chatter.

Dallas faced a 31-21 defeat to Los Angeles, but one rookie Receiver gave the Cowboys something to watch: Ryan Flournoy. He ran crisp routes, created separation, and flashed strong hands, though a Milton overthrow kept his biggest play from materializing. Coach Brian Schottenheimer noted Flournoy’s evolving releases and his ability to shed tackles, signaling a potential rise in the depth chart as the preseason narrows. The WR competition remains fluid with Tolbert, Mingo, Brooks, Holden, and Flournoy all in the mix, with special-teams value becoming the tiebreaker for a final 53-man spot.

The Cowboys’ depth chart discussion centers on who brings game-day value beyond receiving stats. Flournoy’s performance, paired with Tolbert’s known upside, Mingo’s versatility, Brooks’s route juice, and Holden’s flashes, keeps Dallas honoring a multi-man rotation. Schottenheimer stressed that special-teams contributions will be decisive for who makes the roster, especially for players in the third and fourth phases. With two preseason games left, the message is clear: catches matter, but how you play on special teams may decide your fate.

Fantasy players should monitor Flournoy’s continued progression and how Dallas assigns reps behind Tolbert and the top trio. If the team leans into a role-player who can return, block, and catch, Flournoy could offer a late-round floor with upside as an insurance policy in deeper leagues. Meanwhile, Milton’s QB connection and the evolving WR group suggest volatility but also opportunity for opportunistic bets as Dallas refines its depth ahead of the season.