Dallas Cowboys fans excited about watching first-round rookie Tyler Booker will be disappointed to hear the news minutes ahead of the team’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

According to multiple reports, Booker is not in pads and won’t be playing Saturday night.

In his first gameday as Cowboys head coach, Brian Schottenheimer appears to be taking a very cautious approach. Other surprising players I expected we’d watch play but that are not in pads during pregame warmups included CB Kaiir Elam, DE Sam Williams, FB Hunter Luepke, and WR KaVontae Turpin.

Is Tyler Booker hurt?

Booker is not known to be injured going into the preseason opener and has been working with the first-team throughout training camp in Oxnard, California.

Perhaps this is a message from the coaching staff suggesting they feel like the rookie is ready and thus they’re refusing to risk his health. The Cowboys offensive line has taken multiple hits to its depth and starting lineup. Veteran guard Rob Jones—who was competing for snaps with Booker—was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve earlier in camp. Starting left tackle Tyler Guyton is rehabbing from a knee injury.

The decision to not play Booker in the preseason opener is a change in Dallas: Under Mike McCarthy last year, first-round rookie offensive tackle Tyler Guyton did play in the preseason. So did Mazi Smith and other top selections.

Most starters are also not playing vs Rams

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer on Twitter/X, healthy players also not playing include: Dak Prescott, KaVontae Turpin, Javonte Williams, Hunter Luepke, Terence Steele, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Jake Ferguson, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, John Stephens, Jack Sanborn, DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam, Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Sam Williams, Solomon Thomas.