OXNARD, Calif. — Neville Gallimore was having a breakout camp for the Cowboys one year ago before a hyperextended elbow derailed what could have been a promising season.

He’s picking up where he left off. The defensive tackle looks as good, or better, than he did 12 months ago in these practices.

“Now the name of the game is durability,” said Gallimore, who didn’t return until December and played in five games last season. “The biggest thing is making sure I stay healthy but continue to have fun with it.

“We’re out here because we love football. I love football and I want to get better.

“And I’m ready to dominate. I’m ready to take that next step and be one of the guys for us.”

Gallimore suffered the injury in the team’s second preseason game against Arizona. That opened the door for rookie Osa Odighizuwa to have a bigger role.

Now, the two will be part of what should be an imposing rotation.

The third-year pro concedes what happened to him last year, “sucks man.” But teammates went out of their way to make him feel a part of what was happening.

“When you see guys competing and seeing guys have success, you want to be a part of it,” Gallimore said. “It hurts a little bit, especially when you’re a competitor and you love this game.

“But I love my group because they definitely were able to bring me up and keep me motivated and understand that when I do come back it’s go time.”

COVID, injuries alter practice: The run game was supposed to be a focus of practice.

Illness and injuries forced the coaching staff to flip the script a bit.

Running backs Rico Dowdle and Aaron Shampkin have landed in COVID protocol. Fullback Ryan Nall (shoulder) and tight ends Jake Ferguson (hamstring) and Jeremy Sprinkle (Achilles) were also missing.

That left Dallas with only three healthy running backs and four tight ends for Thursday’s practice.

“It impacts everything,” head coach Mike McCarthy said before practice started. “I think we cut about 14 minutes out.”

COVID protocols are no longer mandated by the NFL office. Each club can determine its own policy.

The Cowboys require the person to quarantine or isolate for five days after a positive test. If that person is symptom free 24 hours after that period, they are allowed to return.

They will then be required to wear a mask in team settings for another five days.

Dowdle and Shampkin have been taking part in team meetings from their rooms.

“They are virtual,” McCarthy said. “This is one of the things we talked about the other day.

“There is a lot that came from the pandemic and virtual teaching and learning is one of them.”

Barr starts on PUP: Anthony Barr signed his contract with the Cowboys.

But he won’t take the field right away.

The linebacker was placed on the physically unable to perform list Thursday after passing his physical.

There are no health issues, a person with knowledge of the decision said. The club just wants to give the former Minnesota linebacker a little time to ramp up before working his way into practice.

Barr’s acquisition frees the defense to use Micah Parsons at defensive end even more while putting a quality player next to Leighton Vander Esch, who missed Thursday’s practice to attend to a personal matter.

“I know just personally competing against Anthony, he was always a challenge for us, particularly in protection and just because of his flexibility playing off the ball inside and off the ball as a rusher and so forth,’’ said Mike McCarthy, who faced Barr twice a season when he was the head coach in Green Bay. “We always had to be very, very conscious of the matchup that you had with him.

“Anytime you have a player that brings matchup capability, it’s a real asset for us. We want to be multiple in our defensive packages and we want to continue to develop different rush plans.

“He’s a great fit for us.”

The final word

“When you break the huddle, he’s lining up in the right spot, no matter what position he’s in. He’s giving good looks. He’s where I expect him to be on each and every play.”

—QB Dak Prescott on rookie receiver Dennis Houston.

Staff Writer Calvin Watkins contributed to this report.

Catch David Moore on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) with the Musers at 9:35 every morning and the Hardline Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:15 p.m. during Cowboys training camp.

Twitter: @ DavidMooreDMN