Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton (10) celebrates with offensive lineman Drew Shelton (67) after scoring on a one yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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GLENDALE, Ariz. — The fight for the No. 2 quarterback job will go down to the last game of the preseason.
Joe Milton made sure of that with a stellar performance in the Cowboys’ 34-13 victory over the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Saturday night.
Milton, who started the game, completed nine of 13 passes for 179 yards with two passing touchdowns and one rushing score. He also had a 151.4 quarterback rating.
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He made two wonderful throws, including a fade to Jonathan Mingo, who used a double-move to get free for a 53-yard touchdown reception.
Milton, scrambling from defenders, also found Camden Brown for a 20-yard completion. Milton’s first touchdown pass of the night was also off a scramble where he found running back Malik Davis in the flat.
In six first-half possessions, Milton led the Cowboys to four scoring drives, the three touchdowns and a field goal.
Sam Howell played in the second half and completed seven of 10 passes for 65 yards and one interception. He finished with a 47.9 quarterback rating.
Howell completed his first four passes of the game. He missed two long passes down the sidelines. Howell’s interception came under pressure when he was knocked down and threw off his back foot. The throw was short of receiver Anthony Smith and it was picked off by safety Isaiah Oliver.
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Howell also was sacked in the red zone, something that can’t happen in those situations.
“I think Joe’s put together two really, really good halves,” coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “Sam really made one mistake down in the red zone, kind of got fooled on one and turned it over. That can’t happen, but this is long from over. And going back to Frisco, thankfully, and get a chance to be home and put some more training camp days in. But got to give Joe credit. He’s played really well the last two games, but we have a lot of confidence in Sam as well.”
At this point of the preseason, the Cowboys appear certain to keep both quarterbacks, it’s just a matter of Schottenheimer being secure with Dak Prescott’s backup.
Howell got the start in the preseason opener at Seattle and played well. He led the Cowboys on three first-half drives, leading to a touchdown and a field goal.
Howell, who has made 18 starts in his four NFL seasons, looked comfortable in both games.
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Milton has never started a regular-season game. Yet, he did play with better command in Seattle and on Saturday night against Arizona. In four drives against Seattle, Milton led the Cowboys to a touchdown drive, with two drives ending in punts and an end-of-game kneel.
“Tonight was great,” Milton said of his performance against the Cardinals. “I was able to go out there and showcase what I got, what we’ve been working hard towards this whole camp. It was great. My comfort level was amazing, shoot, way more comfortable than last year.”
After the Cardinals game, Schottenheimer noted his team has improved from the first day of camp to where they are now. He said some players have surpassed others on the depth chart and that’s because of the front office’s push to improve the talent.
Schottenheimer said when Howell was signed that it wasn’t meant as a slight to Milton. It was a statement that the Cowboys want to create competition in all areas of the team.
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Howell and Milton embraced the competition.
“I think we’re getting better every day,” Howell said. “We’re moving the ball, two games in a row we’ve moved the ball well. I had a couple mistakes in the game, took a sack in the red zone and obviously can’t turn the ball over there. But I think as a group, we’re doing a good job of moving the football.”
Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (23) hurdles Arizona Cardinals safety Wydett Williams Jr. (31) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller gives a thumbs up as he arrives at State Farm Stadium before an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb arrives at State Farm Stadium before an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott sits in field level seats and talks on his phone before an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller poses for a selfie with fans while signing autographs before an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones autographs a cap for Buu Nygren, President of the Navajo Nation, before an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller gives a thumbs up to the crowd before an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton waits in the tunnel to take the field for the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott applauds as he teammates warm up before an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) encourages his teammates as they take the field for the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker (86) pushes past Arizona Cardinals safety Kitan Crawford for a first down during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Malachi Lawrence (57) brings down Arizona Cardinals running back Corey Kiner (37) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (81) hauls in a 53 yard touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (81) races to the end zone on a 53 yard touchdown pass past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) celebrates after a 53-yard touchdown reception by Jonathan Mingo during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaishawn Barham (55) brings down Arizona Cardinals running back Corey Kiner (37) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Shavon Revel (28) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer calls in a play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis (20) scores past Arizona Cardinals linebacker Karson Sharar (43) on an 8 yard touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Camden Brown comes up just short of the end zone on a 70-yard reception during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton scores on a one yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman LT Overton (bottom) as linebacker Tyrus Wheat (90) comes in on the hit during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman LT Overton (99) celebrates after sacking Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II (right) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Jay Toia (93) brings down Arizona Cardinals running back Tre Stewart during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Trikweze Bridges (25) breaks up a pass intended for Bryson Green of the Arizona Cardinals (39) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sam Williams (54) celebrates a sack with Marist Liufau (35) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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A pass goes off the hands of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jaden Smith (17) as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei’trel Clark (13) defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Sam Howell (16) scrambles away from Arizona Cardinals linebackers Eugene Asante (48) and Owen Pappoe (44) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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A pass goes off the hands of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jaden Smith (17) as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei’trel Clark (13) defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Israel Abanikanda (30) is brought down by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kalen King (35)during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Sam Howell throws a pass during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Arizona Cardinals safety Isaiah Oliver (34) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Anthony Smith (83) as the Cardinals Wydett Williams Jr. (31) also defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete (75) works against Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Cam Horsley (93) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Fans cheer after Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete checked into the game during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Sam Howell (16) takes a snap as offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete (75) blocks against Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Cam Horsley (93) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah celebrates after scoring on a 15-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete (75) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown run by Phil Mafah during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Fans cheer Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete (75) as he leaves the field after a victory over the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Fans cheer after Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete checked into the game during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Fans cheer Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete (75) as he leaves the field after a victory over the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
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