Cowboys Sit Majority of Starters for Preseason Opener vs. Seahawks as Schottenheimer Tips His Hand

The Dallas Cowboys open the 2026 NFL preseason on Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, but head coach Brian Schottenheimer has already made clear that most of his stars won’t be involved. A post-walkthrough huddle on Friday appeared to confirm exactly which players are expected to sit out the Week 1 exhibition matchup.

Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News shared video of Schottenheimer gathering a select group of players together following Dallas’ final practice session before the trip to Seattle, a moment widely interpreted as the coach signaling who will not see the field Saturday.

Who’s Expected to Sit for Dallas

According to the reporting, the list of likely absences includes several of the Cowboys’ biggest names on offense: quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, tight end Jake Ferguson, fullback Hunter Luepke, running back Brevyn Spann-Ford, and the projected starting offensive line.

The defensive side features an equally notable group. All-Pros Quinnen Williams and DaRon Bland were part of the huddle, along with DeMarvion Overshown, Rashan Gary, and free-agent additions Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant, and Otito Ogbonnia. Rookie standout Jaishawn Barham, who has been dealing with a groin injury, is also expected to miss the opener.

Not everyone from Dallas’ top draft class is being held out, though. First-round picks Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence are expected to see the field Saturday, even if their snaps are managed carefully.

A Calculated Approach to Preseason Health

Schottenheimer’s decision to sit the bulk of his projected starters reflects a broader philosophy that has become increasingly common across the league — prioritizing the long-term health of key contributors over live preseason reps. It’s a move that draws mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike, with some believing all players should get game action regardless of status, while others view resting starters as simply protecting the roster ahead of a long regular season.

With so many regulars unlikely to play, Saturday’s game becomes more of a proving ground for backups and roster hopefuls fighting for one of the 53 spots on Dallas’ regular-season roster. How that group performs against Seattle’s competition could carry real weight as final cuts approach.

Game Details and Odds

Kickoff between the Cowboys and Seahawks is set for 8:00 p.m. ET Saturday at Lumen Field in Seattle, with the game airing nationally on NFL Network. Seattle opened as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 39.5, and bettors looking to get a jump on the preseason slate can check the latest live NFL odds before kickoff.

Preseason lines tend to move as more roster and snap-count information becomes available, so keeping an eye on updated numbers closer to game time is worth it for anyone tracking the matchup.