FRISCO, Texas – It's been a busy week for the Dallas Cowboys as they wrap up training camp and prepare for the regular season. First comes a league mandated break, where Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said he'd enjoy some time with his daughters but find a way to get his heart rate going.

Dallas' quarterback room is now back at three, after the team brought Joe Milton back on the practice squad Wednesday afternoon. Prescott is glad that he's back.

"It means a lot," Prescott said of Milton's return. "Obviously, me just personally, I thought he would've gotten picked up in the waivers. Fortunate for us, we got a hell of a player back and a guy that makes our room better, a guy that makes our team better. His spirit, just the way that he approaches the day… he's a hell of a dude, a hell of a competitor."

The process of Dallas' backup quarterback competition between Milton and Sam Howell, as well as other position battles across the roster, follows Brian Schottenheimer's "compete every day" mantra to a T, in Prescott's eyes.

"When you're talking about the competition in the two spot, that's how important every competition on this team is, and that's really how close every competition on this team was," Prescott said. "And I think that's credit to those guys, and the roster they put together… just as much credit to the coaches as the guys in the locker room not backing down from any kind of competition, fighting for their lives, fighting for their jobs."

Winning the backup quarterback job was Sam Howell, who said on Wednesday that he wasn't sure what would be asked of him as Prescott's backup, but he'd be willing to do whatever it took to help out. Prescott sees Howell as a great fit for the role.

"Just doing whatever we ask him throughout the week of breaking down the defenses or giving us some kind of nugget that we're not necessarily seeing," Prescott said of Howell's responsibilities. "Sam's a great guy for that."

One of the main talking points of the offseason surrounding the Cowboys has been the lack of contract disputes which have typically surfaced during training camp and into the beginning of the season.

With none of those major headlines during the 2026 training camp or offseason cycle, more of the focus has been around what's happening on the field, which Prescott views as a positive.

"I think it not only allows us to be focused, but the narrative around us and the distraction or attention or whatever you want to say around us, to be focused on just ball," Prescott said. "I think ultimately that helps, that helps the environment coming to work… We know what we've got, we know who we've got and we're ready to roll."

With a lot of positivity over the course of the last few months with George Pickens remaining in Dallas, building a revamped defense and returning all starters on offense, does 2026 feel like a different kind of year?

"It's definitely different," Prescott said. "You guys know I'm optimistic going into every season kind of with that mindset, and yeah, it's an NFL season. Positive vibes and good energy doesn't win you games. Understanding we've put ourselves in a great position… Right now, the energy and everything is great, but we've got to make sure we're doing everything to be accountable to each other."

Accountability to his teammates is one of Prescott's jobs not just as a member of Dallas' leadership council, but in his familiar role as a captain of the team. Brian Schottenheimer announced Thursday that Prescott, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Brandon Aubrey would be the Cowboys' four captains for the 2026 season.

Williams' locker is placed right next to Prescott's at the team's locker room in the Star. That's for a reason, and Williams' leadership has already shown itself despite his short time in Dallas.

"He's a hell of a guy," Prescott said. "Obviously since we got him last year, you can see the impact and watch the guys around him and know that that's rubbing off on them and just the way they approach this game. He's one of the best leaders in the locker room. He's a great guy for me to be able to talk to."

After the short break coming up for the Cowboys and their players, it's back to game week for the first time in 2026 with kickoff against the New York Giants on September 13.

When the Cowboys waived quarterback Joe Milton, they knew they wanted him back on the practice squad, but they weren’t sure if another team would claim him on waivers, or persuade him to join a different practice squad. For coach Brian Schottenheimer, Milton deciding to stay in Dallas was great news.

“When he informed me he’s coming back, I was elated,” Schottenheimer said. “This is a guy that’s worked his butt off to get where he is, developed the way he’s developed. The talent is so rare. When you’re waived — I’ve been fired many times — you’re in shock a little bit. Then you step back and you didn’t see it coming, but you start figuring out the positives and negatives of the situation. For him to be able to stay here with the relationships he’s built, understanding our system, understanding the locker room, the other coaches, we were thrilled to get him back and he’s going to continue to get better.”

Schottenheimer knows there’s always a chance that some other team will sign Milton away for its active roster.

“Quarterback rooms around the league are pretty crowded right now, but he’s certainly talented enough to get claimed. It’s our good fortune that he wasn’t,” Schottenheimer said.

Milton’s size, speed and arm strength make him a very attractive prospect, even if so far he hasn’t put it all together to develop into a starting quarterback. The Cowboys think he’s going to keep developing and they’re glad he’s doing it in Dallas.

Combustible cladding at a Milton Keynes apartment complex is to be replaced under a scheme proposing a construction compound on public grassland for around three years.

Barratt Redrow has submitted a planning application, through agent Lawtech Group, to install the temporary compound off South Row to support fire remediation works at Vizion Apartments.

The compound application is under consultation with Milton Keynes City Council, with no decision recorded on the planning register.

A planning statement says the development comprises 12 buildings, nine of which are classified as Higher-Risk Buildings. The remaining three are below 18 metres.

The contractor says the scheme will replace combustible materials with non-combustible alternatives to ensure the blocks are safe and comply with regulations.

The work involves the cladding façade finishes and their supporting rail structure, according to the document.

Lawtech says it received instructions from Barratt Redrow, acting as employer’s agent on behalf of client Avon Ground Rents Limited, to undertake the cladding replacement and remediation.

The application concerns the temporary site set-up and compound needed to support that work.

Public grassland between South Row and H6 Childs Way would be used for site welfare facilities and materials storage for approximately three years.

The area would be enclosed by a 2.4-metre-high timber hoarding, with lockable gates for vehicles and pedestrians. Pedestrian lighting would be installed on the hoarding.

Parking bays at the entrance would be suspended for the duration of the compound’s use, although the statement does not specify how many spaces would be affected.

A banksman would control all vehicle movements. Temporary fences and barriers would separate pedestrians from working areas and routes wherever possible, with designated pedestrian routes provided.

Lawtech says it is entering into a licence agreement to rent the grassland for the works.

The statement says small trees stand within the proposed compound area and that the Parks Trust has agreed to remove them before the contractor takes possession.

It says trees will be replanted after the works and the land restored to its original condition.

The grassed area would be lowered to accommodate a stone base topped with tarmac, providing a clean surface intended to prevent dirt and debris spreading onto surrounding block-paved parking areas.

Hoarding would be positioned outside tree canopies to protect roots, while geogrid membranes would spread vehicle loads at the entrance where required by the Parks Trust.

The document says the proposal would not change the residential use of the surrounding buildings.

Lawtech’s statement identified August 2026, or as soon as practicably possible, as the intended date for setting up the site. It does not confirm whether the compound has since been established.

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Following initial 53-man roster cutdowns, NFL teams continued adjusting their active rosters through waiver claims, injury designations and more Monday.

The Dallas Cowboys made a surprise roster move in their quarterback room by waiving Joe Milton, leaving Sam Howell as the backup to Dak Prescott despite Milton's preseason performances. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders placed left tackle Laremy Tunsil on injured reserve Monday.

More NFC East news dropped as New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers stayed noncommittal about his Week 1 availability. And the Los Angeles Chargers made headlines by reuniting the Herbert brothers.

Here is the latest from around the league on Monday:

With Week 1 right around the corner, the Dallas Cowboys made a surprising roster move on Monday morning.

The Cowboys are waiving quarterback Joe Milton to make room for running back Emari Demercado, according to . The decision clears the path for Sam Howell to serve as Dak Prescott's backup quarterback to start the season.

Milton was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of Tennessee.

Milton spent six years in college playing for both Michigan and Tennessee, but only started one full season during his redshirt senior year. With the Volunteers, Milton completed 64.5% of his passes for 2,813 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Now with Milton’s NFL future up in the air, it will be worth keeping an eye on whether another team claims him off waivers. A player with his physical tools might not stay a free agent long and could find his way into a quarterback competition sooner rather than later.

The Washington Commanders took a major roster hit on Monday afternoon. They’re placing five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton on injured reserve, according to .

Both players could return later this season, but Tunsil faces a long recovery after tearing his triceps early in training camp. Newton faces a similar uphill battle after suffering a torn pectoral muscle during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.

Tunsil played in 14 games last season for the Commanders after an offseason trade with the Houston Texans that brought in a true pass protector for quarterback Jayden Daniels. For a team repeatedly plagued by injuries, this season doesn’t appear to be any different.

Missing Tunsil and Newton for most or even all of the 2026 season puts head coach Dan Quinn in a tough spot in a crowded and competitive NFC East. The Commanders are set to kick off their season on the road in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers progressed from individual drills to full-contact team sessions at practice on Monday, shedding his no-contact jersey.

However, with New York set to open its regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13, the wideout remains uncertain if he will be cleared in time as he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee.

"My mind is focused on playing the regular season: playing whenever that is," Nabers said after practice Monday. "There’s still some things that you still have to check off the box for you to participate. I’m still going through that, still listening to the trainers, still listening to doctors and sharing everything with them."

Nabers added that he feels "real good" physically, but emphasized that final clearance remains a process between himself, doctors, and the coaching staff.

"That’ll be a decision that will be made when that time comes," Nabers said regarding Week 1. "There’s certain things that, as a football player, you’ve got to mentally prepare (for) before you go into a game... I want to be able to come out there and make no mistakes and just be able to fly around and do what I do. I’m getting there, for sure."

The Los Angeles Chargers signed tight end Patrick Herbert to their practice squad Monday, joining his brother, starting quarterback Justin Herbert, according to NFL Network.

Patrick Herbert was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of Sunday's 53-man roster deadline and chose Los Angeles after receiving interest from multiple teams.

The Herbert brothers previously played together at Oregon during the 2019 season, helping lead the Ducks to a Rose Bowl victory.

Patrick, who recorded two catches for 12 yards during Jacksonville's 2026 preseason action, joins a Chargers tight end group featuring Charlie Kolar, Oronde Gadsden, and David Njoku.

The Chargers open the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals.