OXNARD, California — The clock is running out for a possible contract extension between the Dallas Cowboys and star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb before the start of the season. There are only 19 days between Tuesday’s practice in Southern California and the Week 1 game in Cleveland against the Browns.

However, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones remains optimistic that a deal could be reached by then that would pave the way for the star wideout after his contract extension.

“The facts suggest we’re going to come to an agreement,” Jones said. “I don’t want to speak for him. I try not to, but we wouldn’t have offered him what we offered him if we didn’t want him here.”

In terms of breaking news from the field, the Cowboys have just a week to cut their roster down to the NFL’s mandatory 53-man limit, and Jones expects some tough decisions to be made at wide receiver, defensive back and tight end.

There could also be changes in one position group by then, as Jones kept the option open to strengthen his defensive group even after signing Carl Lawson and Jordan Phillips.

“I liked the new faces we brought to the back line,” he said. “We’re probably not done yet as far as (adding) a (new) face.”

On the other hand, despite the possibility of two rookies starting on the offensive line when the team arrives in Cleveland in less than three weeks, Jones was excited about what is brewing in the trenches.

“I’m excited about our offensive line, obviously,” he said. “I’m excited about the individual players, I’m excited about the depth there. I’m excited about the youth there, everything. That’s critical, it’s vital for us to have the running game (that we had the other day). I know it was preseason, but I was impressed with how we put the other team under pressure the other day.”

The team will play one final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at home at AT&T Stadium on Saturday afternoon before the 2024 season officially begins. But first, there is a presentation of the team’s quarterback project, Trey Lance.

“I would like to see us really develop our quarterback,” Jones said. “I would like him to get more playing time this weekend, that would be the most important thing.”

“Do I need to see more of Trey Lance? The answer is yes, but he will be on the 53.”