Princeton Fant and Joe Milton III are no strangers in a locker room together. The former Tennessee Vols shared one in 2021-22 in Knoxville. Now, both are fighting for roster spots with the Dallas Cowboys, and Fant made a very public declaration for why he should get one in a moment that left many fans wincing for a player who got in his way.
On a designed run for Milton during the Cowboys' final preseason matchup with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night, both men ran left, and Fant was out in front of Milton as the lead blocker. Second-year safety Josh Thompson for the Falcons was in front of Fant, and he pancaked him to spring Milton for a nice gain.
Joe Milton’s big run fueled by TE Princeton Fant
— Mauricio Rodríguez (@MauNFL) August 23, 2025
Two former Vols! @AtoZSports pic.twitter.com/Jq5s2AZqV4
Milton, who struggled in the Cowboys' first two preseason games, had an improved performance in Dallas' finale, going 10/18 passing for 132 yards with a touchdown and adding 4 carries for 33 yards and a score on the ground in the Cowboys' 31-13 win over the Falcons. He had nice touch on a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Brooks. That performance all but locked up the QB2 job for Milton with the Cowboys.
But Fant's fate is one that's still up in the air. He's right on the cut line for a final roster spot and it's close. Some have him on the right side of it, such as how ESPN Dallas Cowboys beat reporter Todd Archer does. Some have him just out, as does A to Z Sports Cowboys beat writer Mauricio Rodriguez. So, making an impact, literally and figuratively, in his final chance to impress can't hurt Fant's chances.
We'll find out soon enough of Milton and Fant can continue sharing a locker room together in Arlington, as final cutdowns are due by 4:00 pm ET on Tuesday, August 26.
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