FRISCO, Texas -- It is easy to say Thursday night's preseason finale against the Houston Texans is the last chance for some Dallas Cowboys to impress.
The truth is, it might be too late for some.
The Cowboys started training camp in Oxnard, California, a little more than a month ago, and they have played three preseason games.
If you haven't shown something by now, what have you been waiting for?
But Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said roster spots remain open.
"I think it's a great opportunity for these young players to make one last push," Jones said. "There's a fight for the last four, five spots on the roster, a fight for the practice squad, and guys can really step up. We've changed our mind. Obviously you have it set in your mind as you sit here today what you might do when Friday rolls around, but we've had some guys change our minds in a positive way. It's great to see the back end of this roster go compete and we'll see if some guys can make some plays and maybe get themselves a spot."
So who can still win a job?
The plan is for him to play the entire game against the Texans. He won't have the Cowboys' top runners and pass-catchers, and he probably won't have their top blockers either. But with the uncertain status of Tony Romo, he can earn a spot as the Cowboys' current No. 2 or perhaps No. 3 if they add a veteran at some point.
In the spring there were people in the organization that felt he could be a factor in the quarterback chase. He has completed 19 of 37 passes for 227 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. He's also run twice for 18 yards.
He has a similar skill set to Dak Prescott, which could be in his favor as the Cowboys shape their final roster.
He was not among the Cowboys' first wave of free agents signed after the draft. He did not join the Cowboys until May 17 after the rookie minicamp. When he signed, the Cowboys had Jason Witten, re-signed James Hanna, had Geoff Swaim entering his second year and took Rico Gathers in the sixth round of the draft. They also had Gavin Escobar coming back from an Achilles injury. And yet he stands on making the roster because of his blocking ability as well as some improved receiving skills.
Hanna will miss the first six games now that he is on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Gathers was always a project and might head to the practice squad. Escobar is not a lock to make the team and could be traded.
Traylor found himself playing meaningful snaps last week versus Seattle.
"He plays with a poise about him that he can handle the different look that he sees," coach Jason Garrett said. "He plays with a physicalness and a desire to finish. He's certainly made great strides."
He was limited midway through training camp because of a hamstring strain. He made his preseason debut against Seattle and had five tackles, a sack and tackle for loss, which is a solid debut. And let's remember the Cowboys aren't exactly stocked with top-flight defensive line help to where they can be picky.
Okoye has hung around for a few years with different teams after making his name as a Olympic shot putter in England. He can play defensive end, but most of his time has been at defensive tackle, where the Cowboys are relatively set.
His future might be tied to what the Cowboys do with Darren McFadden. He has 120 yards on 31 carries in the preseason and caught two passes for 24 yards. His problem is that he has Ezekiel Elliott, Alfred Morris and Lance Dunbar in front of him. If McFadden is activated off the non-football injury list, he would fall behind him. But the sixth round pick has shown he has NFL skills. If he doesn't make the 53-man roster, he would be a candidate for the practice squad.
J.J. Wilcox did not practice during the week because of a neck strain. His play in the preseason has not been the greatest, so his price tag ($1.8 million cap figure) is a lot for a backup when they have already paid Jeff Heath to be their special teams ace ($1.35 million cap figure). Frazier, a sixth-round pick, has been relatively quiet in training camp practices and preseason games on defense and special teams. He could be the kind of player Jones was talking about, where the fourth game puts him over the top.
