Cowboys training camp: Traeshon Holden has a breakthrough practice

Cowboys undrafted Oregon Duck WR takes flight. 

Maybe it’s time the Dallas Cowboys see other people. Since the start of camp, practices have been competitive with a lot of jawing between the offense and the defense. While some would appreciate the tenacity from both sides, head coach Brian Schottenheimer has made it known that he expects better discipline from his players.

Yesterday, after another fight at practice, Schottenheimer tossed rookie Ajani Cornelius out of practice. As penance for the lack of composure, Schottenheimer had the team run from sideline to sideline. However, from fisticuffs to flashy, an undrafted receiver seized the day at Oxnard and is the undrafted star of the day.

Over the last few days, Traeshon Holden has put together some good practices. The former All-American has always had a nice pair of hands and the smarts to know where to make himself available to the quarterback in zone coverages. He and Joe Milton have started to make a connection, and yesterday, Holden showed up big. He caught two touchdowns at practice, including a dazzling one-handed grab as he twisted in the air and kept his feet in bounds for the score.

Of course, the real test is whether Holden can carry this momentum over into the preseason. The Cowboys will play the Los Angeles Rams next Saturday, and that’s when Holden will get a taste of real action. He’ll have an uphill battle to climb since Jonathan Mingo has also shown promise at training camp, and KaVontae Turpin has looked ready for an expanded role offensively.

There are a lot of players to pass on the depth chart before Holden could make a real run at a 53-man roster spot, but the journey starts with good practices at camp. Impress Brian Schottenheimer, who is all about competition, and you never know what could happen.