An Aug. 9 groin injury robbed Will Grier of his team debut in last Saturday’s exhibition opener in Denver.

It should come now.

Grier entered camp as the Cowboys’ No. 3 quarterback and has impressed, seeming to tighten the gap between him and Cooper Rush. He can solidify that strong impression by performing well in actual game action.

The Cowboys claimed Grier off waivers last September after the Carolina Panthers cut the 2019 third-round pick. He spent all of last season on the Dallas roster, suiting up just once — a Halloween win over the Vikings that Rush led — and never taking the field.

Some growing pains were to be expected for Josh Ball last Saturday, considering a high ankle sprain sidelined the offensive tackle for nearly the entire 2021 training camp as a rookie fourth-round pick, and his most recent game — preseason or regular season — came when Marshall hosted UAB on Dec. 18, 2020.

His response is more important.

Ball projects as the Cowboys’ swing tackle. To feel confident he is ready for that role, the team will look for steady improvement. As things stand, it would not surprise if at least one offensive lineman on the Cowboys’ Week 1 roster is not currently on the team.

Two kickoffs for a touchback. One missed field goal with a botched hold. One successful extra point.

That was it. That was the extent of opportunity available to Cowboys kickers Lirim Hajrullahu and Brett Maher last Saturday in their ongoing competition for the team’s Week 1 job. More chances to evaluate them would be welcome at SoFi Stadium.

Hajrullahu’s miss from 56 yards was hardly on him. Holder Bryan Anger dropped the snap, picked up the football and placed it at a spot different from the original one.

That did not move the needle in the kicker competition.

Maybe something on Saturday will.

Michael Gehlken