Cowboys OK with Micah Parsons being ‘in and out’ of OTAs

Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons was not on the field with teammates on Tuesday as part of what head coach Brian Schottenheimer described as “in and out” attendance expected during organized team activities.
Parsons, who was present Monday, is angling for a new contract one year after Dallas went through training camp before negotiating long-term extensions with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott.
Schottenheimer said Tuesday that Prescott is able to participate in first-team reps during OTAs, a sign he’s considered fully healed from a torn hamstring, the injury that ended his 2024 season and required surgery.
Parsons was permitted to work out largely on his own in the offseason under previous head coach Mike McCarthy.
With more than two months between current OTA work and training camp, Schottenheimer said “it means a lot to me” to have Parsons present when he’s able. Parsons participated in Monday’s group workout and team meetings.
Under first-time head coach Schottenheimer, Dallas began working through installation of new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ scheme in April with Parsons in attendance.
The All-Pro pass rusher is said to be seeking a $200 million deal that would set an NFL record for a non-quarterback.
Parsons, 25, recorded 12 sacks, 43 tackles and two forced fumbles in 13 games (all starts) last season.
A Pro Bowl selection in each of his first four seasons in the league, Parsons has totaled 256 tackles (63 for loss), 112 quarterback hits, 52.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 63 career games (all starts).
Without a new deal this offseason, Parsons is in line to earn approximately $24 million on the fifth year of his rookie contract in 2025.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said earlier this month that the two sides are in agreement on “most of the issues.”
Back in December, Parsons discussed the importance of attending workouts, minicamps and training camp.
“I’ve got to be around the guys,” he said. “There’s going to be rookies, there’s going to be free agents — guys that come here — you don’t know who’s going to be there, so there’s a chemistry part and people know what you can do, but people also got to see it from a leader aspect. So I still gotta be there for that part.”