Drama at Cowboys camp on July 28 as Jerry Jones calls out Micah Parsons over his contract holdout. Get the latest on the standoff and a major team injury.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the Dallas Cowboys' training camp couldn't get more dramatic, owner Jerry Jones decided to throw a little gasoline on the fire. With star pass-rusher Micah Parsons sidelined with 'back tightness' amidst a contract dispute, Jones didn't mince words, creating a firestorm on a day already marred by a significant injury.
'He's getting paid. He gets about 20-some million right now. And that's a pretty easy $20 million standing there watching practice out there at the same time.'
The main event in Oxnard on Monday wasn't on the field, but on the sideline where Micah Parsons watched, and at the podium where Jerry Jones spoke. Jones took a subtle but pointed jab at his absent superstar, comparing the situation to last year's CeeDee Lamb negotiations and suggesting he's in no rush. The comments amplify an already tense situation, with fans chanting 'Pay Micah' from the stands. The national media is taking notice, with podcasts like 'Locked On Sports Today' calling the standoff 'confusing' and highlighting the potential negative impact on a team with Super Bowl aspirations. While Parsons officially cites back tightness, everyone knows this is about securing a market-setting extension, and Jerry just turned up the pressure.
As if the off-field drama wasn't enough, the Cowboys were dealt a devastating blow on the injury front. Offensive lineman Robert Jones, a strong candidate for a starting guard spot, is out indefinitely after breaking a bone in his neck. The team confirmed he will miss the start of the 2025 season, a crushing development for a unit already facing questions about its depth. This isn't a minor camp injury; it's a significant loss that creates a major hole on the offensive line. The front office now has to scramble to find a replacement, whether from within the current roster or by looking at free agents.
Despite the dark clouds, the Cowboys finally put the pads on, and the intensity immediately ramped up. The on-field action provided some much-needed positive highlights. Rookie QB Joe Milton showed off his arm, connecting with CeeDee Lamb, who wasn't shy about taunting a beaten cornerback afterward. It was a flash of the swagger this offense needs. Perhaps most encouraging was an All-UFL standout getting reps with the first team after impressing coaches, a sign that competition is fierce. Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer praised the entire rookie class for their professionalism, giving fans a reason to be excited about the youth movement, even as the veterans dominate the headlines.
Monday was a whirlwind of highs and lows. Moving forward, all eyes remain on two fronts: the stalemate between the front office and Micah Parsons, and the gaping hole on the offensive line left by Robert Jones' injury. How the Cowboys navigate these two critical issues will define their preseason and could very well determine their fate in 2025. The pads are on, the stakes are high, and the drama is just getting started.
