Former Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton is still battling to secure the Dallas Cowboys' QB2 spot on the depth chart, and with a little help from a former Tennessee teammate, he could be close to securing the spot after putting together his best preseason performance on Friday night.
Milton went 10-for-18 for 132 yards and a touchdown on Friday night to lead the Cowboys to their first preseason win. He also had four carries for 33 yards and a rushing touchdown, bringing his total yardage to 165 yards and two total touchdowns on the night.
While that isn't an insane game by any means statistically, the offense looked its best on Friday night, which could be exactly what Milton needs to secure the QB2 job in Dallas.
One run specifically will get Vols fans excited as one of Milton's former Tennessee teammates, Princeton Fant, is lead blocking for him again in Dallas, and he helped Milton get the first down and flip the field on a big fourth down.
Joe Milton’s big run fueled by TE Princeton Fant
— Mauricio Rodríguez (@MauNFL) August 23, 2025
Two former Vols! @AtoZSports pic.twitter.com/Jq5s2AZqV4
The Cowboys were able to score a touchdown later that drive on a 29-yard pass from Milton, which is exactly what the Cowboys coaching staff wants to see from him.
After the preseason finale, ESPN’s Todd Archer shared his final 2025 Cowboys roster prediction before the start of the season. In his prediction, he has Milton as Dak Prescott’s backup with Will Grier moving to the practice squad.
As for Fant, he is expected to hang around too as TE4, the last tight end on the depth chart. While that’s not ideal, it seems like Fant is at least expected to remain with the team this season.
"Perhaps a tad heavy here with Fant," Archer wrote, "considering Luepke will get time at tight end as well, but Spann-Ford missed the preseason games because of a high ankle sprain. Ferguson's numbers should return to 2023 levels, as he and Prescott have recovered from last season's injuries."
While it's unlikely we see them both on the field at the same time, the Cowboys' injury could open the door for Vols fans to watch Fant and/or Milton on Sundays this season.
The Cowboys open the season against NFC East division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. The road test will be a big one for the Cowboys as they look to bounce back after a disappointing season last year.