Cowboys rookie LB Jaishawn Barham expected to make debut in preseason tilt vs Cardinals

Despite over 60 Cowboys hopefuls getting at least one snap in the team's preseason opener versus Seattle, there are several players on the roster still looking for that first live-fire action.

One of them is expected to make his Cowboys debut this Saturday on the trip to Arizona, much to the delight of his coach.

Rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham put on a strong performance in the early part of training camp but was then sidelined by a groin injury on Aug. 6 that was considered to be only a short-term issue. After putting in some rehab time with trainers, the third-pound draft pick out of Michigan is close to making a full return.

Barham missed the team's joint practice versus the Rams and sat out the win over the Seahawks, but he was able to participate in this week's joint session with the Saints.

"It was good to get him some reps against New Orleans," Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said of Barham. "He's working his way back."

Cowboys rookie LB Jaishawn Barham (55) getting work with the first-team defense pic.twitter.com/Yw56ypnsTM

And he made an impression... on his coaches as well as at least one Saints offensive player.

"The excitement is the physicality," Schottenheimer said of Barham's play style. "There was a lead play that the Saints actually ran against us- basically a lead down in the A-gap- and it was cool to see Jaishawn stick his face in there and knock the guy back into the runner. Very, very talented young man and a lot of versatility."

The 22-year-old will look to tap into that versatility as he shares time at linebacker with several other prospective Cowboys including Shemar James, Dee Winters, Curtis Robinson, Langston Patterson, and Justin Barron, the surprise hero of the preseason opener who nabbed three interceptions against Seattle.

But, as Schottenheimer alluded to, Barham is expected to bring a violence to the position that perhaps hasn't been put on display quite yet. The 6-foot-2-inch 240-pounder already carries himself with a stone-faced demeanor; sitting around nursing a sore groin likely hasn't helped his attitude.

Will taking the field under the lights in Glendale unleash the beast that's been lurking inside Barham? Schottenheimer suggested it may.

"I have seen him smile a little bit more, which means he's excited to be back."

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys rookie LB Jaishawn Barham expected to make debut in preseason tilt vs Cardinals