Take a look at Cowboys’ first depth chart of the season prior to preseason opener vs. Rams

The Cowboys released their first depth chart of the season ahead of the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams. A few items of note:

Nate Thomas is the second-team left tackle behind Tyler Guyton, with Asim Richards on the third unit. With Guyton out until September with a fractured bone and a sprained knee, it means Thomas is tentatively scheduled to start the season as the starter. This could change with the preseason work of Richards.

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With Miles Sanders nursing a leg injury, rookie Jaydon Blue is the No. 2 back behind Javonte Williams. However, don’t forget about fullback Hunter Luepke, whom the Cowboys like to give the ball to in different formations and had an impressive run during Tuesday’s scrimmage where he bounced outside on a carry to score a touchdown. Most fullbacks just go north and south. Not Luepke.

“I would say I was surprised but I’m really not because he really takes time to understand and learn how to do certain things and Hunter has really good feet,” running backs coach Derrick Foster said. “I think that’s what helps him be able to change direction as best as he can. And at the fullback position sometimes, the picture changes [defensive front], and he adjusts very well. He can run between the tackles and he understands the runs. Does he look as fluid as some of the other guys? No, but he can do it.”

The defensive ends are Marshawn Kneeland and Micah Parsons. Tyrus Wheat has quietly been solid in camp and the Cowboys have him as the backup to Kneeland with Dante Fowler the No. 2 to Parsons’ spot along the line. The Cowboys will rotate their rush ends along with their defensive tackles. Mazi Smith and Osa Odighizuwa are No. 1 on the depth chart. Seventh-round pick, defensive tackle Jay Toia, is backing up Smith at nose tackle. Toia has gotten some work with the first-team defense during training camp.

Linebacker coach David Borgonzi has Jack Sanborn as the lead middle linebacker, but he’s mixing and matching several other players for the position, which includes Kenneth Murray, Damone Clark and Shemar James. Marist Liufau has also gotten some work at middle linebacker, but Borgonzi said he sees Liufau as a weakside and strongside linebacker.

On game days, only two players can have the green dot to receive the defensive signals from the coaches, so it could be Sanborn and Murray on game days, but Borgonzi wants versatility in case someone gets injured.

The starting outside cornerbacks on the depth chart are Kaiir Elam and DaRon Bland, with Kemon Hall as the slot corner. The Cowboys are still working different players in the slot as Israel Mukuamu got work there with the first team. As of now, Hall might have the lead as the slot corner.

The depth chart is just a guide going into the preseason because the league mandates it. But when it comes to the 53-man roster, final cut is August 26, and the Cowboys coaches and personnel groups discuss is daily.

“No. 1 as a staff we talk about it every day,” Schottenheimer said of the 53-man roster. “You can’t do the compete-mantra and not do that because if you’re not talking about it every day how do you move guys from a third team to second team, second team to first team all that stuff?”

Twitter/X: @calvinwatkins

Photos: Dallas Cowboys coaches speak to the media at training camp in Oxnard

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