3 Cowboys who are desperate to perform in Week 2 of preseason

The Dallas Cowboys lost their first preseason game, but nobody cares about the result. All that matters is that the team's young talent got extensive reps in a game-setting after a strenuous offseason program and training camp.

Deuce Vaughn, Jalen Tolbert, DeMarvion Overshown and Damone Clark were among the biggest standouts against the Jaguars. The hope is they can piggyback off that performance and ride that momentum into the regular season.

For some players, though, Saturday's tilt against the Seahawks is their last best chance to prove they're deserving of a roster spot.

Though there's another preseason game, another lackluster showing could prove consequential in terms of making the 53-man roster.

3. Jabril Cox

Cox's inclusion might come across as harsh because he played well vs Jacksonville. He caused a turnover on downs by getting into the backfield and showed great speed running sideline-to-sideline to chase down ball-carriers.

It's clear that Cox is healthy and confident a full season removed from ACL surgery.

That's great to see, but he didn't play a single snap in the first half. Clark and Overshown played before him, which suggests he's competing with Devin Harper and Malik Jefferson for one of the final linebacker spots.

Jefferson is nursing a foot injury, but looked good before departing, while Harper enjoyed his best game in a Cowboys uniform. He recovered a fumble and logged three run stops, which is a testament to his reading of the game and navigation of blocks.

All three of Cox, Jefferson and Harper can play special teams. The second week of preseason could have major influence as far as which player has the upper hand as we hit the stretch run before the regular season.