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Jalen Tolbert impresses for the second straight week
Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Tolbert impresses for the second straight week

Originally posted on Inside The Star  |  By Shane Taylor  |  Last updated 8/20/23

After drafting Jalen Tolbert in the third-round in the 2022 NFL draft, he struggled to do anything in his rookie campaign.

Tolbert, for the second straight preseason game, was a standout player.

In last night's loss to the Seahawks, Tolbert finished with four catches for 66 yards.

After the first two games, Tolbert has six catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.

After an offseason wondering who would emerge as the Cowboys' No. 4 wide receiver, Tolbert has now distanced himself from Simi Fehoko, Jalen Brooks, and others.

“I am just building on what I have been trying to build on the whole training camp,” Tolbert said.

“My takeaways can be speed and being able to play faster than everybody else. … Not thinking too much, just going out there and really trying to be comfortable and confident.”

What a huge turnaround from year one.

After struggling to grasp the playbook during his rookie season and hardly seeing the field, Tolbert has found his way in the first couple of weeks.

This is a great sign for the Cowboys.

Adding Brandin Cooks and a healthy Michael Gallup with CeeDee Lamb and Tolbert.

Remember when Dallas went into the season a year ago with Noah Brown and Dennis Houston as their second and third guys?

I do.

The offense still led the league in nearly everything, with Dak Prescott behind center.

The only problem I have right now is that Mike McCarthy's play calling looks like a year ago.

Run on first and second down, try and make the offense get in a manageable third down; although most of the first-team offense isn't playing, it just looks gross at times.

Tolbert did have one really bad drop, but outside of that, he played great against the Seattle defense that played a handful of their starters.

He has put himself in the driver's seat for the WR4 spot on the depth chart.

We have a long way to go, but Tolbert is showing why the Cowboys drafted him in the first place.

Other news

The Cowboys took a couple of massive blows with injuries.

Now folks understand why I have not stressed much about top-end starters playing in the preseason.

DeMarvion Overshown was carted off with eight minutes left in the first quarter.

He walked off under his power but still waited to hear the final ruling. Hoping it is not a torn ACL.

This Cowboys linebacker group was going to be so good this year.

The offensive line also took a hit with offensive tackle Matt Waletzko with another shoulder injury. Opposite of his other that he had surgery on last year.

Again, this is why I'm not too fond of the preseason. I understand, but I hate seeing players go down in a meaningless game.

The Cowboys have one more preseason game next week against Radiers next Saturday before the regular season starts.

Let's hope the Cowboys can avoid some other injuries to players that they need in week one.

This team has a real chance to be special.

Another 12-win season is on the way; we will see how it plays out once the playoffs start.

This article first appeared on Inside The Star and was syndicated with permission.

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