FRISCO, Texas — Whether he has shown enough to be part of the linebacker rotation is something the coaches will decide, Jaishawn Barham said Tuesday at The Star. The Dallas Cowboys rookie said he will keep putting in the work he knows he can.
Barham dipped under the left guard and dropped an Arizona ball carrier for a loss on Saturday night. He was asked whether his experience rushing off the edge was what let him get under the block.
“No, I would say that’s off the ball. You work on slipping blocks, setting the slipping, we call it, but you work on slipping, shedding,” Barham said. “I feel like you’ve got to use them all. You can’t just always run a hit. You’ve got to learn how to slip blocks and get off blocks.”
What Brian Schottenheimer Said About Jaishawn Barham
Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that the experience of Barham’s versatility shows up in his understanding of angles and in the way he contorts his body to beat a blocker. Schottenheimer also said the worst thing an opponent can do is take Barham on down the middle.
Barham finished his preseason debut with 5 tackles, including 1 for a loss. He wore the green dot and took the coach-to-player communication in place of DeMarvion Overshown. Barham said handling the calls feels normal because he did it in college.
A groin injury sustained in Oxnard cost Barham the preseason opener at Seattle on Aug. 15. He said he tried to get out there for that game and was told to wait, and that he was a little tired at Arizona while getting his wind back.
Where Jaishawn Barham Fits On The Dallas Cowboys Defense
Barham said he does not like any team the Cowboys play. He also said he is not perfect and has plenty left to work on, listing his hands, his play from sideline to sideline, and his coverage.
Dallas drafted Barham in the third round, No. 92 overall, in April. He spent two seasons at Maryland, where he was a Freshman All-American in 2022, then transferred to Michigan and played both off the ball and on the ball.
Overshown and Shemar James are the other linebackers who have taken first-team reps. Dallas traded for Dee Winters this offseason. Christian Parker took over the defense in January and runs a 3-4 front.
What Is Left Before Dallas Cowboys Cuts
Dallas practices in front of fans at The Star again Wednesday. The preseason closes Friday against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m. CT on CBS.
Rosters must be at 53 players by 5 p.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 30. Waiver claims are due at noon CT the next day.
