Clarence Hill’s 5 Things to Watch for Dallas Cowboys in preseason game vs. Chargers

When the Dallas Cowboys face the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday night at SoFi Stadium, the plan will be same for quarterback Dak Prescott and the starters as it was in last week’s preseason opener against the Denver Broncos.

Prescott and a host of veterans on offense and defense will not play and watch from the sidelines.

The Cowboys coach will focus on evaluating rookies and young players in the game.

The starters could see some in action in the third and final preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks next Friday at AT&T Stadium.

No final decision has been made.

What to watch in Saturday’s game between the Cowboys and Chargers:

Grier and backup quarterback battle

Will Grier sat out the preseason opener against the Broncos with a hamstring injury. Against the Chargers, he will get a chance to show what he can to unseat Cooper Rush as Dak Prescott’s primary backup.

Grier got some action in the practice against the Chargers on Thursday and actually won the quarterback competition between the two clubs after practice.

Rush, who filled in for Prescott in a win against the Vikings last season, didn’t have a good showing vs. the Broncos, completing 12 of 20 passes for 84 yards with an interception.

Jalen Tolbert and young receivers

The focus remains on the Cowboys inexperienced receiver corps and third-round pick Jalen Tolbert, who had a fourth-down drop against the Broncos.

The team is counting on Tolbert to be a huge contributor as a rookie. He looked better in practice. But he needs to take a huge step to gain quarterback Dak Prescott’s confidence as a reliable pass catcher.

Undrafted free agent Dennis Houston has been the best and most consistent rookie receiver. He continues to make plays, including a Hail Mary reception in the practice against the Chargers.

Simi Fehoko has made great strides in his second year as a big-bodied option. T.J. Vasher has faded since making a spectacular catch early in training camp. Time is running out for him.

Cutting down on penalties

A huge emphasis against the Chargers will be to cut down on the 17 penalties the Cowboys had against the Broncos.

That number is unacceptable for a Cowboys team that led the NFL in penalties in 2021.

Whether it’s the starters or backups, the Cowboys identity is being a undisciplined, penalty-riddled team that can’t get out of it’s own way.

Changing the narrative has been an emphasis all off season.

It’s time for the Cowboys to show some progress in that area or for coach Mike McCarthy to make an example out of someone.

Continued development of Tyler Smith

The Cowboys have not promoted first-round pick Tyler Smith to the starting role at left guard. But that day is coming.

Smith still needs more development and technical refinement. He had a strong game blocking against the Broncos. He also was flagged twice for holding.

Cleaning up his technique and hand placement remains a point of emphasis for Smith and the Cowboys.

Third running back

A quality third running back will be important this season because of the increased usage of backup Tony Pollard in tandem with Ezekiel Elliott and as a slot receiver.

The Cowboys have a number on the amount of touches they want Pollard to have and so the third running back will needed to supplant Elliott.

Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and Aaron Shampkin have all had strong starts to training camp. Dowdle came in as the favorite. But Davis and Shampklin have been impressive.

Davis led both teams in rushing in the preseason opener with eight for 51 yards and 6.4 yards per carry.