The Dallas Cowboys signed La'el Collins in August 2025 to fix an O-line crisis. Get the latest on this move and Micah Parsons' contract situation.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
With the preseason opener just two days away, the Dallas Cowboys made some aggressive moves on Thursday to address a growing crisis on their offensive line. In a blast from the past, the team signed former starting tackle La'el Collins, along with veteran Geron Christian, in a direct response to mounting injuries and depth concerns that have plagued the team throughout training camp.
The Cowboys are focused on ramping up for the preseason opener, with coaches emphasizing player availability and conditioning.
The front office didn't just talk about the problem; they acted. The signings of La'el Collins and Geron Christian are a clear sign that the coaching staff was not comfortable with the state of their offensive tackle depth. These moves were precipitated by tackle Matt Waletzko being waived/injured and created roster space by placing receiver Parris Campbell on the reserve/injured list. While Collins brings familiarity and a high ceiling, it's a telling move that the team had to look outside the building this close to the season to find reliable protection for their franchise quarterback.
While the O-line drama unfolded, the other major storyline in camp continues to be the contract status of superstar defender Micah Parsons. The good news? Parsons is present at camp and participating in conditioning drills, showing no signs of a holdout. The bad news? There's still no deal. Negotiations are ongoing, but with the regular season looming, the possibility of the franchise tag becomes more real with each passing day. For now, his presence is a positive, but fans are anxiously awaiting the news that locks him up for the long term.
As the team prepares for Saturday's 7:00 PM ET showdown with the Los Angeles Rams, health remains a top priority. All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs continues his recovery on the PUP list, and the team is carefully monitoring his progress alongside other key players like DeMarvion Overshown. With no game played this week, the focus has been entirely on practice and preparation. Coaches are working to get the squad conditioned and ready for their first taste of live game action, where the new-look offensive line will face its first test.
All eyes now turn to Saturday night. The preseason opener against the Rams will be our first real look at how these new pieces, especially on the offensive line, fit together. Can the Cowboys' patchwork protection hold up? Will any young guns make a name for themselves? The dress rehearsal is over; it's almost showtime.
