With the 2021 NFL preseason underway, that means Hard Knocks is set to return to our TV screens. Let’s take a look at how you can watch Hard Knocks in 2021, when it will air, and what storylines we should be keeping our eye on.
With the first episode now released, here is a complete recap of everything you might have missed on Hard Knocks.
How to watch Hard Knocks 2021
Hard Knocks in 2021 will air on HBO. If you are looking to stream the series, then HBO Max is the place.
If you have HBO, you should already have access to HBO Max. However, if you are looking to sign up for HBO Max, there are two options. The ad-free version can be purchased for $14.99 a month or $149.99 a year. If you are happy to sit through the adverts, you can pay $9.99 a month or $99.99 for the year.
If you have Amazon, Android, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, or Roku, HBO Max is available to stream. For Amazon Prime or Hulu subscribers, HBO Max can be added for $14.99 a month.
Hard Knocks 2021 will premiere August 10, at 10 PM ET
While the Cowboys played their first game of the 2021 NFL season on August 6, we have had to wait a few more days to see them on Hard Knocks for the first time. Nevertheless, at 10 PM ET on August 10, we will get a glimpse inside the Cowboys training camp for the first time this offseason.
HBO’s NFL training camp show featuring the Dallas Cowboys
There are always several stories that either develop ahead of time or during training camps. 2021’s version of Hard Knocks will be no different. What are the potential storylines that we should be keeping our eyes on this year?
Dak Prescott headlines the Cowboys’ injury concerns
The Cowboys have already had their fair share of injury concerns this preseason and none bigger than with Dak Prescott. Prescott left practice with a shoulder injury and did not play in the Hall of Fame Game. He is coming back from an ankle injury, so an unrelated injury is something of a relief for the Cowboys. However, it will be good to see Prescott back on the field soon.
There have also been concerns for DeMarcus Lawrence, Amari Cooper, and Michael Gallup. Lawrence and Cooper have both started preseason on the PUP list. While neither are at imminent risk to miss any time in the regular season, their progress in returning will be an intriguing part of the Hard Knocks storylines.
Don’t expect to see much of a number of the senior players on offense
If you were hoping to see a lot of Ezekiel Elliott, La’el Collins, Zack Martin, and Tyron Smith in the 2021 version of Hard Knocks, then you may be disappointed. That group of veteran players likely will not play a major role in camp and the preseason. All four are crucial to the Cowboys’ success in 2021, and none of them have anything to prove.
How will the Cowboys’ defense look?
The biggest concern for the Cowboys, outside of injuries, is the play of their defense. That group was a significant issue for the Cowboys last season and led to substantial changes this past offseason.
The biggest is bringing former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn in as defensive coordinator. Quinn had success in charge of Seattle’s defense, but his Falcons units were not up to par. How he manages this Dallas defense in camp will be one of the more intriguing elements of Hard Knocks in 2021.
The secondary is the place that a lot of eyes will be on. Trevon Diggs is back for his second year and will be joined by 2021 NFL Draft second-round pick Kelvin Joseph. How those two gel and perform at cornerback could dictate how far the Cowboys can go this season. If they can immediately become a competent pairing, the Cowboys have the offense to potentially go deep in the playoffs.
Ben Rolfe is a Senior Managing Editor at Pro Football Network and is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA). You can find him on Twitter @BenRolfePFN.