Denton sits approximately 35 miles north of Dallas.
The Dallas Cowboys have placed former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson on their practice squad. This move comes after starting guard Tyler Smith suffered a thumb injury that will sideline him for at least the first month of the season. To fill the gap on the active roster, the team promoted guard Nick Leverett from the practice squad.
Leverett, an undrafted free agent who signed with Rice University in 2020, will back up new starter TJ Bass. His career path includes three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he started 10 games across 16 appearances.
He later split time between New England and Arizona in 2024 before joining the Cowboys organization last season while offensive coordinator Clayton Adams was still with the Arizona Cardinals.
Tomlinson, 34, brings significant experience to Dallas. Selected in the first round of the 2015 draft he has started 162 career games and earned a pro bowl selection in 2020. Most recently, he started seven games for the Houston Texans last year.
In other news, ESPN released its annual poll of NFL executives and scouts regarding award candidates. The survey identified Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer as a contender for Coach of the Year. This recognition follows a 7-10 season record and suggests polled experts view Dallas as a strong contender to win the NFC East.
An NFC scout cited in the report highlighted quarterback Dak Prescott’s potential for a big year and an improved defense, noting that staying healthy gives the team a good chance at division supremacy. The poll also named safety Caleb Downs as the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, with scouts expecting him to disrupt plays in the slot and accumulate high tackle numbers.
