Trey Lance's first practice photos with Dallas Cowboys emerge

Trey Lance, wearing his new No. 15 jersey, was on the practice fields early Wednesday for the Cowboys. The former No. 3 player in the NFL Draft now is third string behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush.

But there’s a quiet buzz that suggests Trey Lance may be the Cowboys future if the 30-year-old Prescott doesn’t successfully lead Dallas to at least an NFC title game. Plus, it also depends on Lance. The 49ers spent three, first-round picks to secure Lance in 2021. But the former North Dakota State star was stuck as QB3 behind Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold when they dealt Lance for a fourth-round selection.

Several reporters snapped photos of Lance’s first Cowboys moment and shared them on social media. Maybe they’ll be significant some day.

New Cowboys QB Trey Lance pic.twitter.com/rkgV3QPnzP

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 30, 2023

The Cowboys open on the road, Sept. 10, against the Giants for Sunday Night Football. And like all NFL teams, an expanded game week started Wednesday. Teams needed to make major cuts to their rosters by Tuesday. On Wednesday, coaches were adding up to 16 players to each team’s practice squad.

Meanwhile, at Cowboys headquarters in Frisco, Prescott was working with Trey Lance as they went through throwing drills. Lance wore No. 5 with the 49ers. But he’s now No. 15 in Dallas. That was the number worn by backup Will Grier. After getting released by the Cowboys, Grier agreed to a deal with the Bengals.

Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush and #Cowboys staff demonstrating drills to Trey Lance ahead of practice.

Prescott was vocal and keyed in on making sure Lance was progressing from drill to drill. pic.twitter.com/iL8SykZYFB

— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 30, 2023

Trey Lance met with the Dallas-area media earlier this week to talk his initial thoughts on the surprise trade. This time a year ago, he was prepping for his first start with the 49ers. He suffered a significant ankle injury in week two. That eventually led to two surgical procedures and he missed the rest of the season. By then, he was behind Purdy on the depth chart. Plus, Darnold had passed him as well.

So Lance is sticking next to Prescott.

“He welcomed me with open arms,” Lance said of Dak. “It meant a lot to me. This business is crazy but, for me, I’m not looking forward — at all. I’m just trying to take it one day at a time. This guy has played at a very high level for a long time so, obviously, just tons of respect for him, as I think he deserves and gets from across the league. 

“I’m just trying to learn everything I possibly can from him.” 

He acknowledged that he’s not going to see any playing time if he doesn’t learn the Cowboys offense. That’s why Wednesday’s session was so important to him. “

“First and foremost, I’ve gotta learn to have an opportunity to help anyone in the (quarterback) room and anyone on the offense,” he said. “That’s really what I’m focused on: learning enough to be able to contribute.”