Former Patriots Quarterback Reacts To Elbow Injury In Shaky Preseason Debut

The Joe Milton III era is underway in Dallas. The former New England Patriots quarterback made his Cowboys debut Saturday against the Rams, throwing for 143 yards in the 31-21 loss to Los Angeles.

He finished the game 17-for-29 with one touchdown and one interception. Milton was sacked once and rushed five times for 22 yards.

While his numbers don’t exactly jump off the page, the bigger concern is his health. Milton left the game with a bruised elbow, according to Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.

“He got hit on the elbow. It seems like initial tests are that he’ll be okay, a little bit of a bruise. We’ll get some more tests … but I think Joe’s gonna be OK,” Schottenheimer said, per the Cowboys’ website.

Milton, however, didn’t sound concerned about the injury hindering his ability to back up Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott.

“Just two players collided into my elbow. I’m pretty fine,” Milton said, per Archer. “Probably just a contusion. I’ll be good.”

The Patriots traded Milton to the Cowboys in April, one year after New England selected him in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Milton, 25, turned heads when he started the Patriots’ season finale last year. He went 22-for-29 with 241 yards and one touchdown pass in New England’s 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills. He also ran for a touchdown and finished the day with a 111.4 QB rating.

“I really have to pinch myself that we got him after the last game that he had up there, starting there for New England,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan’s Kristi Scales on Saturday, per Boston.com’s Conor Roche.

“I’m just excited that we had a chance to get him. And he hasn’t disappointed. He’s actually — we’re just more and more encouraged by what we’re seeing,” Jones added.

“I think he found his rhythm late, started using his legs a little bit better,” Schottenheimer said about Milton after the game Saturday. “Again, terrific talent that every rep he gets is going to help him become a great pro.”