OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen said Wednesday his unit did not meet its standard in Saturday’s preseason opener at Seattle.
Dallas lost a muffed punt by Traeshon Holden at its own 5 and gave up a 52-yard punt return. The Cowboys ran 19 special teams plays in the game, 13 of them in the four core phases, under the 20 or more Sorensen said the unit typically gets. Schottenheimer called the performance not good enough on Monday and held a long meeting about it.
Nick Sorensen on the Cowboys’ Special Teams Standard
Sorensen said this week’s reps will be pointed at specific players, and that the ones who produce will get more.
“Yeah, it definitely wasn’t up to our standard. We turn the ball over, we don’t win the net punt or the starting position for kickoff,” Sorensen said. “The cool thing is we get another game. We had a joint practice yesterday, we get another game after that.”
“And there were certain things that showed up. We practice those. We do it more. And just guys, when they get the opportunities, let’s go make plays,” Sorensen continued. “And if they do, they get another opportunity. And after that, if you don’t, then hey, let’s see somebody else. And I’m excited to see us get better this week.”
Dallas ran punt rush work with its first, second, and third groups in the Aug. 11 joint practice at Woodland Hills against the Los Angeles Rams, Sorensen said, and with the first two groups against New Orleans on Tuesday in Oxnard. Special teams periods were built into the Saints session.
Jonathan Mingo’s Effort Play Against Seattle
Jonathan Mingo chased down the Seattle returner from behind after being pushed past the play. Schottenheimer has pointed to it twice as evidence of the locker room’s chemistry, and Sorensen said it was the first clip shown to the team in the game recap.
“That’s elite finish. I mean, it’s exceptional effort. I think that affects the whole team,” Sorensen said. “That type of effort, that’s what you want everywhere in football, anywhere in life.”
“It was just really cool to see that from Mingo, just the effort that he gave because he won early,” Sorensen added. “He did a really good job versus the Vikes getting out of bounds. He almost stacked them and made that play, but to see him get pushed past when the returner stepped up and be able to catch him, that was awesome.”
Mingo played 6 games for Dallas in 2025 with 1 catch for 25 yards. Sorensen also named safety Markquese Bell among the players making effort plays, and said Mingo has been fielding punts along with rookie safety Caleb Downs.
KaVontae Turpin remains the primary returner. He was a second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection as a return specialist last season.
Dallas plays at Arizona on Saturday at 9 p.m. CT.
