The Dallas Cowboys likely won't have CeeDee Lamb back at practice until he signs a contract extension. As expected, Lamb didn't report for the start of OTAs so fans will have to wait until mandatory minicamp, which starts June 4, to learn of the seriousness of Lamb's holdout. Somewhat surprisingly, Micah Parsons followed Lamb's lead in skipping the start of voluntary practices.
Parsons' absence wasn't all that surprising. Early in his career, Parsons has opted to train privately during the offseason and report to the Cowboys once practices become mandatory. It's become an annual tradition for Parsons, but fans were still alarmed by his no-show.
After all, Parsons is up for a new contract soon. It likely won't arrive until next offseason being that Lamb and Dak Prescott remain unsigned, but star players miss voluntary workouts every year. It's their version of sending a subliminal message to the front office that they want their money.
Parsons undoubtedly wants his money, but his absence isn't wallet-related. In fact, he plans to be back with his teammates in short order.
Parsons will be back in Frisco next week -- Tuesday, to be exact -- for media obligations, per NFL Media insider Jane Slater. Whether Parsons stays in town until minicamp on June 4 is a different story, but he'll be on the field for the start of camp regardless.
Even better? Parsons has kept in contact with head coach Mike McCarthy and other Cowboys coaches throughout his absence. McCarthy revealed on Tuesday that Parsons has had 1-on-1 meetings with the staff and that he spent "a lot of time" with Parsons at the facility las week.
McCarthy lauded the shape Parsons has kept himself in and was adamant that the 24-year-old superstar "hasn't missed anything." The Cowboys head coach expects Parsons to be at The Star next week, which aligns with what Parsons told Slater.
It'd be one thing if Dallas wasn't aware of Parsons' whereabouts. However, Parsons has been training with local boxing instructor Tony Mack to improve his hand quickness and synchronizing his hands and feet, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.
“Just like in football, in boxing, you get your most power when you’re balanced,” Parsons said, per the DMN. “And it’s great because just like in football, your hands and feet have to be synchronized. So, I’m working so much on just my hands and feet moving together, stepping into my jab, turning into my one-two. Everything turns out better for me.”
This should quell any and all concerns about Parsons' skipping voluntary workouts It was likely the top story on sports talk shows around the country, but make no mistake: his absence is a classic nothing-burger.
