Rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske were getting pressure on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott regularly, as was second-year outside linebacker Byron Young.
Rams running back Kyren Williams carries the ball against Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) and Donovan Wilson (6) during a joint practice on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, left, and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, right, talk on the field following a joint practice during NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams players warm up for a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams players warm up for a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs the ball during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, left, looks for an open receiver as he is defended by Rams linebacker Michael Hoech during a joint practice at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during a joint practice at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) takes the snap from center Steve Avila during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks for an open receiver during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner, left, locks up with Dallas Cowboys center Brock Hoffman during a skirmish in their joint practice on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) gets past Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner during a joint practice at NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams cornerback Cobie Durant, left, defends against Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks, right, during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) hands on to the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during a joint practice at NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) takes a snap during a joint practice with the Rams at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance throws a pass during a joint practice with the Rams at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson catches a touchdown pass in front of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Nahshon Wright during a joint practice on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rams head coach Sean McVay congratulates wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (15) after he scored a touchdown during a joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis is unable to intercept a pass intended for Rams wide receiver Tyler Johnson (18) during a joint practice on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands off to running back Kyren Williams during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks, right, is tackled by Rams cornerback Cobie Durant after making a catch during a joint practice on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands off the ball to running back Kyren Williams during a joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford listens to head coach Sean McVay during a joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) adjusts his helmet during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott carries the ball during a joint practice with the Rams at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett throws a pass during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams running back Blake Corum carries the ball during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford scrambles out of the pocket against Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland during a joint practice on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott carries the ball during a joint practice with the Rams at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott fumbles the ball during a joint practice with the Rams on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams safety John Johnson III recovers the football after a fumble by Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott during a joint practice on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rams backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws a pass during a joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (3) runs past Rams cornerback Cobie Durant during a joint practice at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, left, and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, right, talk on the field following a joint practice during NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, left, talks with Rams head coach Sean McVay, right, following joint practice at NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, left, talks with Rams head coach Sean McVay, right, following joint practice at NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott looks to throw a pass during a joint practice against the Rams on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rams offensive tackle Conor McDermott gets taped up for a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington, left, and offensive tackle Conor McDermott get ready for a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Cowboys’ NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks, left, and Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, right, talk on the field following joint practice at NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer paces the sideline during a joint practice against the Rams on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, right, and wide receiver Jalen Tolbert slap hands during a joint practice against the Rams on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones walks on the field following joint practice with the Rams at NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
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Rams running back Kyren Williams carries the ball against Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) and Donovan Wilson (6) during a joint practice on Thursday at the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
OXNARD — The Rams held their second joint practices of the offseason on Thursday, traveling up the 101 to work out with the Dallas Cowboys. With the Rams likely to sit most of their key players for Sunday’s preseason opener against Dallas, here are some takeaways from the practice between the two teams.
Not according to plan
The highlight of the day was a complete improvisation from Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. The play likely would have been a sack if it were a live play, but Stafford extended it with a scramble to the left and threw a pass to Demarcus Robinson.
The ball was tipped up and off a Dallas player’s helmet and Stafford caught the ricochet and stumbled into the end zone.
“How just absolutely old I looked,” Stafford joked when asked what was going through his mind. “I was asking their guys, ‘How bad did that look?’ … It was sitting on some dude’s helmet and I was like, ‘Alright, I’ll take it.’ I guess it worked.”
“Stop, stop, stop, stop,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said of his thoughts. “You could see, though, the respect that they have for him, they let up and he was enjoying that.”
Quick hits
The Rams and their injury-plagued offensive line didn’t game plan specifically for Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons, but the instructions were to slide to him wherever he was on the field.
Parsons still had his moments in the backfield, but the Rams tried to get the ball out of Stafford’s hands quickly with screens and short routes. It helped relieve pressure on the offensive line, which struggled in Sunday’s joint practice with the Chargers.
“I thought it was better. I think we need to continue to get in better shape if we want to be able to play the way we’re capable of,” McVay said. “I liked the sense of urgency. I thought their energy was better, I thought they played with a better edge.”
Warming up
At first, the Cowboys’ offense was able to move the ball pretty easily against the Rams on the ground. Running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle found big holes at the line of scrimmage as the Rams’ defensive front found itself moving backward and relying on plays like an Ernest Jones IV strip to stop the momentum.
But as practice went on, the Rams adjusted and were able to close up some of those running lanes.
Pressure’s up
One area where the Rams’ defense didn’t need any warming up was in the pass rush. From the onset, the defensive front was getting pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske were in the backfield regularly, as was second-year outside linebacker Byron Young. Defensive tackle Kobie Turner had a good pass deflection at the line of scrimmage during red zone work.
Despite the strong pass rush, Rams defensive backs had a shaky day in coverage. Cornerback Decobie Durant in particular struggled to keep up with former Ram Brandin Cooks on crossing routes, including on a touchdown during red zone work.
Still, there were some highlights. Cornerback Tre Tomlinson and safety Russ Yeast had breakups while competing against the Cowboys’ second-team offense, and rookie safety Kamren Kinchens blew up a wide receiver screen in the flat in the red zone.
McVay said he’s seen Kinchens improve as he’s gotten more and more reps this preseason.
“He’s a really conscientious player already and you look at the amount of ball production that he had at Miami, you look at what a tough player he is,” McVay said. “He understands the game, he recognizes concepts.”
Kickoff
The Rams continued to experiment with different combinations of returners as they work on what the new kickoff will look like. Running back Kyren Williams and receiver Tutu Atwell made up one unit, followed by running back Blake Corum and wide receiver Xavier Smith, running back Boston Scott and wideout Tyler Johnson, and Robinson and Tomlinson. Tomlinson had the best return of the day for the Rams, getting past the Cowboys with a chance to score a touchdown before the play was called dead.
Injury report
Offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle), offensive tackle Alaric Jackson (ankle), outside linebacker Brennan Jackson (undisclosed), guard Jonah Jackson (shoulder) and receiver Puka Nacua (knee) did not practice on Thursday. Fiske left practice early, and McVay said the rookie had been poked in the eye.
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