In just over one month, the 2018 NFL regular season kicks off when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Atlanta Falcons on September 6. But before that game, we'll have a month of pre-season action that begins in just three days - with the Baltimore Ravens against the Chicago Bears. Away from the cameras, each team has begun their preparations on the training field - and camps are already underway. One team that will need to put in a lot of work ahead of the 2018 season is the Dallas Cowboys. 

COWBOYS IN 2017

Last year, they finished with a record of 9-7 and although they won more games than they lost, Dallas failed to make the playoffs.

Normally, failing to make the post-season isn't too much of a setback, but for the Cowboys, who came off a 13-3 record the year before, it was a massive disappointment. 

They'll need to improve in 2018 - and that all starts in training camp. Of course, Dallas will also have star running back Ezekiel Elliott next season, which is a huge boost.

The 23-year-old was suspended for six games of 2017 - and his absence was really felt. So, with him back on the training field, you'd expect things to be going well. 

Unfortunately, though, it might not be that simple.

THE FIRST FIGHT OF PRE-SEASON

On Monday, footage from a Cowboys practice session in California was posted online, showing a big fight breaking out on the field. 

The scuffle appears to have been started by Taco Charlton and La'el Collins - and it took a fair few teammates to break them up. Check out what happened below. 

It all kicked off when Collins put Charlton on the ground during a drill and the defensive end responded by shoving his teammate. 

The pair then went at it and it took a lot of teammates to separate the pair. 

As a second angle shows, it all happened right in front of head coach Jason Garrett, who probably wasn't at all impressed - and just watched on, waiting for everything to calm down.

NOT IDEAL PREPARATION 

A mass scuffle like that is far from ideal preparation for the Cowboys.

In 2018, they'll share the NFC East with the Eagles, who are defending Super Bowl champs.  

If Dallas wants to bounce back after a disappointing season in 2017, then they can't really afford to be wasting valuable training time fighting amongst themselves.

How well do YOU think the Cowboys will do this season? Have YOUR say in the comments below.