Cowboys rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham is nearing a return after groin issue

The Dallas Cowboys’ preseason plans received a modest boost this week as rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham moved closer to returning from a groin issue. Yahoo Sports reported that Barham has been dealing with the problem that started last week and that he could be back on the field as soon as the preseason opener this weekend.

Barham enters the season in the early stages of his NFL career, and the groin matter has created a short-term question for Dallas’ rotation at linebacker. According to the report, the injury is not viewed as serious enough to keep the third-round pick out of significant action, which suggests the Cowboys believe they can manage the issue without a long absence.

The timing matters because preseason football is often where rookies and new contributors sort out roles, build timing in coverage and gap responsibilities, and prove they can handle the speed of live practice and limited-game snaps. For a young linebacker, those reps can influence how coaches structure the depth chart and how quickly a player is trusted with more complex assignments.

Barham’s status also has ripple effects across the Cowboys’ defensive planning. Even if the groin limits his workload, a return would reduce the need for the team to lean heavily on reserve options at linebacker and help Dallas keep its on-field communication and substitutions more consistent from one preseason game situation to the next.

The report’s key caveat is that it is framed as a potential return, not a guarantee. Groin injuries can vary significantly in recovery pace, and teams frequently monitor soreness and range-of-motion closely as they decide whether a player is cleared for full participation or kept to a controlled number of snaps.

For fans, the most practical thing to watch is how Dallas handles Barham’s return window once the preseason opener arrives. If he practices at or near full speed leading into the game, it would reinforce the report’s assessment that the issue is manageable. If not, the Cowboys may continue with careful deployment, treating Barham’s appearance as a step-by-step progression rather than an immediate full-burden role.

Either way, Barham’s progress is tied to a broader objective for Dallas this offseason: getting its younger defensive pieces ready for the regular season’s workload. A quick return would help the Cowboys maintain continuity in linebacker groups, while any lingering limitation would likely shift more responsibility to teammates competing for similar snaps.