INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- There have been moments throughout the first few weeks of training camp where Joe Milton has looked impressive. His rocket arm is what immediately gains attention. His athleticism and ability to extend plays has also been noticeable.
That led to Milton being easily the top Dallas Cowboys player to watch entering Saturday's preseason opener. The results, however, were underwhelming.
Milton came out firing, throwing on his first six plays. Two completions, one yard, two punts.
"I just got to settle down early and just make a lot of those throws," said Milton, who added that he would grade himself with a D or D-minus in Dallas' 31-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
The plan was for Milton to play the entire game. The second-year player needs as many reps as possible as he is expected to be Dak Prescott's backup this season.
Prescott, who is not expected to play in the preseason, was communicating with Milton throughout Saturday's game. Milton said the franchise QB's advice was to take completions and let the game come to him.
One play that Milton would like to have back was a deep ball he threw to wide receiver Ryan Flournoy early in the second half. Flournoy had a chance to make the grab, but he was double-covered. Rams cornerback Cam Lampkin came down with the interception. The better option would have been throwing to rookie running back Phil Mafah underneath.
"Second and (seven), he's got a checkdown in front of him," Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. "Ultra-competitive, he was moving left, and he threw it up there. Now, he's trusting (Flournoy) in that situation to try to make a play. I think that's one of the things when Joe watches it that he'll be like, 'Yeah, I probably should have taken the checkdown. I got moved off the launch point.'
"That's why he needs to play. I do think he settled down. He found his rhythm late, started using his legs a little better. Terrific talent. Every rep he gets is going to help him become a great pro."
Milton finished the game completing 17 of 29 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a 68.6 passer rating.
"Second quarter on I felt great," Milton said. "I think I need to calm down faster so I can start rolling in the first quarter. ... I was very excited. I think that's what got me off my track. I feel like if I was able to go back out there again right now I'd be able to settle down faster and make those throws, for sure."
In April, Dallas traded the New England Patriots a fifth-round pick for Milton and a seventh-round pick. Cooper Rush, who had been the Cowboys' backup the previous four seasons, signed with the Baltimore Ravens in March. The only other quarterback on the roster is Will Grier. As long as Milton is healthy, he will be the backup.
Milton had an injury scare last week when the Cowboys practiced with the Rams as the thumb on his throwing hand hit the hand of a defender while completing a pass. He was pulled from that practice but was ready to go the next time the Cowboys were on the field.
He exited Saturday's game late in the fourth quarter when a Rams defender hit his right elbow. Schottenheimer said initial tests showed the injury wasn't significant. Milton said he wanted to go back in the game.
"I feel good," Milton said, "just get a little treatment in the morning, I'll be all right."
One of the reasons the Cowboys made the deal to acquire Milton is because the sixth-round pick has so many of the tools that coaches and scouts covet. He only played in one game for the Patriots as a rookie, but he was impressive. Although he didn't play to that level Saturday, there is belief that with more in-game work, Milton can be an ideal backup and one day maybe more.
"We need to throw more completions," Schottenheimer said. "He knows that. He had his fastball out today and there's times where you kind of throw a little bit of a changeup. ... Part of staying in rhythm and part of me and Joe being on the same page, because I am the play caller, is executing the offense, taking things when it's there, when you get moved off a spot, check it down.
"But what a great learning experience for Joe. The guy hasn't played a ton of football in real situations like this where he's getting hit. I'm not sure I loved him running the guy over on the sideline, but that kind of woke him up a little bit, got him going. I'm still learning him as well in terms of his play style."