Cowboys Linebacker Jaishawn Barham Works Through a Blocking Drill in Frisco

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaishawn Barham lowers his shoulder into a blocking pad during a drill at the Star in Frisco, Texas, on May 1, 2026. The third-round pick out of Michigan, taken 92nd overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, emerged as one of the Cowboys' standouts through the opening week of training camp, which began July 28, 2026, in Oxnard, California. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Dallas Cowboys Rookie Linebacker Jaishawn Barham Exits Practice With Groin Injury

Grant AfsethAugust 7, 2026

DSJ Quick Take: Cowboys Rookie LB Jaishawn Barham Leaves Practice With Groin Injury

Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham left Thursday’s third padded practice in Oxnard with a groin injury. The Cowboys do not believe it is serious and have not set a timeline for his return.

What happened? Barham went to the medical tent during Thursday’s practice, walked to the training room, and returned in street clothes to watch the rest of the session.
How serious is it? ESPN’s Todd Archer reported the groin injury is not expected to keep Barham out long, and Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Dallas will monitor him over the next few days.
Why does it matter? Barham had been taking first-team reps at inside linebacker next to Dee Winters, and defensive coordinator Christian Parker said the vision Dallas had for the 92nd overall pick is coming to life.
What’s next? Friday is an off day, the next open practice is Saturday at 1:45 p.m. CT, and the preseason opener is Saturday, Aug. 15 at Seattle at 7 p.m. CT on CBS Texas and NFL Network.

OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham left Thursday’s practice early with a groin injury, and the team does not believe the issue is serious, ESPN’s Todd Archer reported.

Barham spent a few minutes in the medical tent before walking off the field and into the training room, DallasCowboys.com reported. He came back in street clothes and watched the rest of the session. Jon Machota of The Athletic reported that Barham appeared to say he was fine as he was escorted off.

Dallas has not set a timeline for a return. Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the Cowboys will monitor Barham over the next few days.

Thursday was the third padded practice of camp and the seventh session overall since Dallas opened in Oxnard on July 29. Barham has been taking first-team reps at inside linebacker alongside Dee Winters. Earlier in the same practice, the No. 55 got into it with running back Israel Abanikanda during one-on-one drills.

The Cowboys took Barham 92nd overall in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He was the only player Dallas selected on the second day of the draft, and one of five defensive players in a seven-pick class.

Barham played 48 college games across two seasons at Maryland and two at Michigan, finishing with 193 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. He started all 13 games off the ball for Michigan in 2024 and was second on the team with 66 tackles. Michigan moved him to the boundary edge in Week 3 of last season, and he closed 2025 with 32 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks in 12 games.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker said Barham, Caleb Downs, and Malachi Lawrence have all picked things up quickly, and that his staff has taken a collaborative approach to shortening the learning curve for the rookies.

“We had a vision for him when we drafted him, and that’s coming to life,” Parker said. “I think he brings a certain physicality and demeanor to the inside of the defense, and you feel that.”

Where Jaishawn Barham Fits in the Cowboys Linebacker Room

Winters arrived from the San Francisco 49ers in an offseason trade that sent the 152nd pick of the 2026 draft to San Francisco. He started all 17 games for the 49ers last season and set career highs with 101 tackles and 5 passes defensed. He was a sixth-round pick by San Francisco in 2023.

DeMarvion Overshown remains the front-runner to wear the green-dot helmet, though Parker said every linebacker is carrying the communicator right now while the staff works through combinations. Overshown sat out team drills Tuesday with a sore leg and returned Thursday without limitations. He played 6 games last season after being activated off injured reserve in November, and he enters 2026 in the final year of his rookie contract.

Up front, Kenny Clark was in the backfield repeatedly Thursday and recorded two run stuffs, per DallasCowboys.com. Clark came to Dallas in the August 2025 trade that sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay. He started all 17 games in his first season with the Cowboys and finished with 36 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said earlier in camp that Barham asks good questions and treats football like a job.

“It’s his ability to apply the things we’re coaching,” Schottenheimer said, via Harris. “We see and know the physicality, but to see it and apply it has been great.”

What’s Next for the Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard

Friday is a scheduled off day. The next open practice is Saturday at 1:45 p.m. CT at River Ridge Playing Fields, followed by another Sunday. Dallas holds a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Rams Village in Woodland Hills, then closes the Oxnard portion of camp Aug. 13.

The preseason opener is Saturday, Aug. 15, at Seattle, kicking off at 7 p.m. CT on CBS Texas and NFL Network. Schottenheimer said Monday that Dallas will not play its starters in the preseason.

The Cowboys made one roster move Thursday. Tight end Princeton Fant went on injured reserve after tearing his left ACL and partially tearing his MCL in Monday’s first padded practice. Dallas claimed tight end Zack Kuntz off waivers from Las Vegas in the corresponding move.

Roster cuts to 53 players are due Sunday, Aug. 30.