OXNARD, Calif. — Justin Barron intercepted three passes against the Los Angeles Rams earlier this week. Saturday, he expects to line up at linebacker when the Dallas Cowboys open the preseason in Seattle.
Barron picked off Matthew Stafford once and Stetson Bennett twice during Tuesday’s joint practice in Woodland Hills, California. He said Friday that the day reflected the work he put in during the offseason.
“It’s just exciting for me to show them the work I’ve been putting in is starting to come to fruition and come to life,” Barron said. “Some of those picks were just thrown right to me, but that’s also because of the work I’ve put in.”
Dallas also had more than five would-be sacks during the practice.
Barron has not played linebacker in a game in a year.
Justin Barron Gets Another Shot At Linebacker
Barron spent five seasons at Syracuse from 2020 through 2024. He started out at wide receiver, moved to defensive back and eventually wound up at linebacker.
The Cowboys brought him in as an undrafted free agent in 2025. He received a $20,000 signing bonus and $234,000 in guaranteed money.
Most of Barron’s rookie season was spent on the practice squad. Dallas elevated him Dec. 24, sent him back to the practice squad two days later and signed him to the active roster Jan. 3.
Barron appeared in 2 regular-season games. All 30 of his snaps came on special teams, accounting for 55% of Dallas’ special teams work in those two games.
He did not play on defense.
“It’s been a full year since I’ve played linebacker in a game,” Barron explained. “That’s what I’m excited for. We’ve worked really hard and I just want to go out there and build off (the Rams practice) and try to help our defense play well and get a win.”
Dallas Cowboys Defense Heads To Seattle
Barron should have plenty of company among Dallas’ young defenders Saturday.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday that first-round picks Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence are both likely to play against the Seattle Seahawks.
The game will be the first preseason test for Christian Parker as Dallas’ defensive coordinator.
Kickoff at Lumen Field is 7 p.m. CT. CBS Texas has the game in North Texas, and NFL Network will carry it nationally.
Dallas returns to Oxnard afterward and has open practices scheduled through Aug. 18.
The Cowboys are at the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. CT. Their preseason finale is Aug. 28 against the New Orleans Saints at 7 p.m. CT.
Barron gets his first chance Saturday to play linebacker in a game since last year.
