Montrae Holland made his preseason debut on Thursday evening, getting the start at right guard after missing the first three exhibition games with a sore back, and the veteran played well. Not well enough to win the starting job at left guard that was declared his at the beginning of camp--that’s been given to rookie Bill Nagy--but well enough to encourage coaches, and Holland himself.
“Man, what a big relief,” Holland said afterward, per ESPN Dallas. “It feels great to get an opportunity to get back out there and get acclimated to playing again.”
Nagy will make his regular season NFL debut at left guard next Sunday against the Jets, along with right tackle Tyron Smith. Center Phil Costa will make his first career start, as well. With such youth on the line, the Cowboys were glad to see a solid effort out of one of the few remaining veterans in the team’s stable of offensive linemen.
“[Holland] came in and played and played like Holland always plays when he gets in games and plays,” said owner/general manager Jerry Jones. “We have felt good about him. He really is an anchor guy first and foremost, but he can also move. Unless I’m really surprised by a detailed look at the tape [Saturday], then he had a good game out here.”
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