ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Trey Lance played in a number of preseason games for the Dallas Cowboys and finished with a string of interceptions.
The third-string quarterback recorded five interceptions, the last of which came on Los Angeles' final play at the goal line as the Chargers beat the Cowboys 26-19 on Saturday in their preseason finale.
Derrius Davis ran 70 yards for a touchdown on L.A.'s first play, and Simi Fehoko caught a 78-yard scoring pass early in the second quarter.
Lance ran for a touchdown and scored on a pass, but the other of his five interceptions was a 25-yard interception six by undrafted rookie Tremon Morris-Brush with Dallas trailing by one in the fourth quarter.
This could be Lance's last extended stint with the Cowboys.
Lance, San Francisco's No. 3 overall pick in 2021, played most of the preseason without a turnover before facing the Chargers, and Dallas is trying to decide whether Lance will be part of the team's future.
For now, Lance will spend the final year of his rookie contract as the No. 3 quarterback behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush after competing for the backup spot behind Brock Purdy with the 49ers last year before the Cowboys acquired him in a trade.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones was more concerned about the number of snaps than the frequency of quarterback mistakes, based on a small four-year sample of data, including the college years.
Lance has played 116 total snaps and all 93 minutes in the first two preseason games.
“It's unfortunate that five interceptions goes on the record because I wanted more practice and a better environment to watch him play,” Jones said. “That's what he needed. What's missing more than anything is a lack of practice, especially in the NFL.”
Easton Stick threw a long TD to Fehoko but was otherwise just 11 of 28 for 109 yards and one interception as the Chargers try to sort out their backup plan for Justin Herbert.
The game marked a Dallas-area reunion for the players who scored L.A.'s two offensive touchdowns, but all of the starters on both teams were benched.
Davis played on a TCU team that finished as national runner-up to Georgia in 2022. Fehoko, a fifth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2021, was released by the Cowboys after last year's preseason.
Davis, a receiver and kick returner, received an end-around handoff from Stick, reached the L.A. sideline before anyone else and cut back inside untouched.
“The way he worked on the sideline was unbelievable,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Anyone less skilled would never have scored on that play. I was there. I didn't think he was going to be there.”
Stick, who started four games last season after Herbert broke a finger on his throwing hand, ran into Fehoko along the sideline in the second quarter. Fehoko slipped through Andrew Booth's tackle, tiptoed to stay inbounds and ran free for the final 30 yards.
Lance showed more signs of inaccuracy, including throwing a pass behind his receiver during a Tony Jefferson interception in the second quarter and misfiring a pass to running back Deuce Vaughn who was completely free in the flat.
Lance made a nice catch of a pass intended for rookie Ryan Flournoy and scored on a fade route for the second week in a row.
Lance's second interception came in the end zone, ending an 11-game drive to the Chargers' 6-yard line in the third quarter. On his next possession, Lance ran 46 yards for a touchdown.
Dallas' final three possessions ended with Lance interceptions and were capped off by Robert Kennedy taking a knee just inside the goal line on a play from the L.A. 20 with seven seconds left.
“I feel like I know who I am,” said Lance, who completed 33 of 49 passes for 323 yards and rushed for 90. “My confidence hasn't gone anywhere. I'm just going to turn the page and play.”
Vaughn, a second-year running back whose eligibility is in question, ran nine times for 53 yards.
Setbacks due to injuries
Before the game, the Cowboys announced that cornerback Darron Brand, who set an NFL record with five interceptions returned for touchdowns last season, will miss six to eight weeks with a stress fracture in his foot. Brand will undergo surgery. Brand had an NFL-leading nine interceptions last season, his second year in the league.
Reserve rookie
Three rookie offensive linemen did not play, which means they should be in the lineup for Opening Day. Chargers right tackle Joe Alt, the No. 5 overall draft pick, has played in the team's first two preseason games, as have Dallas first-round pick Tyler Guyton and third-round pick Cooper Beebe. Guyton is expected to start at left tackle and Beebe at center.
Next
Both teams open the season on Sept. 8, with the Chargers at home against the Las Vegas Raiders and the Cowboys visiting Cleveland.
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