OXNARD, Calif. -- Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant and Co. aren't going to make their preseason debuts Thursday in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

The Cowboys are instead using the game against Arizona, which won't be playing its starters either, to replace the traditional Blue-White Scrimmage held during training camp. So get ready to see a lot of young players and those vying to make an impression that could land them on the final 53-man roster. The game is the first of five preseason games for Dallas, which is playing in the Hall of Fame Game for the sixth time.

As for the setting, Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium has undergone a major renovation. Hopefully, last year's faux pas won't repeat itself. The game between Green Bay and Indianapolis had to be canceled because paint caused unsafe field conditions.

Here are three things to watch during the game, which starts at 7 p.m. Thursday:

Rod Smith gets loads of carries

Dallas Cowboys running back Rod Smith (45) runs into the endzone on a play during the afternoon practice at training camp in Oxnard, California on Sunday, July 30, 2017. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News) (Vernon Bryant / Staff Photographer)

The Cowboys moved Smith from fullback back to running back after exit meetings following last season. Smith, who is entering his third NFL season, told the team he still felt like he had something to offer there.

He has impressed early during training camp, working as the third-team back, behind Elliott and Darren McFadden, and ahead of Alfred Morris. He's in that spot in part because of the work he does on special teams.

Smith is expected to get plenty of carries Thursday night.

"I know I'm going to have a big role in this game," Smith said. "I haven't had a task like this honestly since high school. ... Going into my third year, I feel like I've matured a lot, and being back at running back just feels normal. When I get the ball in my hands, it's just like I feel I can do something special with it.

"I feel like I'm on the right track, not that I'm perfect, I have a lot more ways to go."

Smith spent most of last season on the practice squad. He played at Ohio State, so he said the return to Ohio is special to him.

There's a bigger moment on the horizon, though it won't happen Thursday night. Eventually, Smith hopes to play in the same game as his brother, Jaylon Smith. The Cowboys linebacker is making significant strides in returning from nerve damage in his leg, but he is not expected to play against Arizona.

"I can't wait for when they give him the green light to suit up and go out there and he's full-go," Rod Smith said. "He's going to be anxious and at the same time I'm going to be just as anxious and happy for him. That's my little brother. ... You want things to go their way and you'll do anything for them."

Cooper Rush, this is your moment

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (7) attempts a pass on a play during the afternoon practice at training camp in Oxnard, California on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News) (Vernon Bryant / Staff Photographer)

With Prescott cheering them on, the rest of the Dallas quarterbacks should get their turns Thursday.

It's unclear how much backup Kellen Moore will go, but any amount of snaps would be his first game action of any kind since the end of the 2015 season. He fractured his right fibula a year ago Wednesday. The Cowboys re-signed him to a one-year deal to back up Prescott because he's affordable, smart and has worked with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan since their days in Detroit.

It's likely Cooper Rush, an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan, will get the majority of the snaps.

"He's got a really good head on his shoulders," Linehan said. "He's a sharp, smart guy, studies his butt off. The limited reps, it doesn't look like it's foreign for him to be out here. It's not too big a stage for him. We had a long drive, working our young and new players, and he did some really good things."

Dallas' fourth quaterback is Luke McCown, a 36-year-old who just joined the team Saturday after Zac Dysert suffered a herniated disk and needed surgery.

Don’t waste your youth

Dallas Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers (80) runs back to the sidelines in a drill during rookie minicamp at The Star in Frisco on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News) (Vernon Bryant / Staff Photographer)

NFL teams carry 90 players, so many of the those who play Thursday night won't be on the roster when cuts happen before the regular season. But some could still gain notice.

Several rookies could also make their NFL preseason debuts, including the likes of cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Marquez White and receiver Noah Brown. Fans also might be interested in tight end Rico Gathers and receiver Andy Jones, who have shown flashes but remained on the practice roster.

Twitter: @khairopoulos