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The Dallas Cowboys began offseason OTAs this week. It has been a long time since we have seen this team together on a field and an even longer time since we have seen them play at a competitive level.
Keep in mind that these are offseason OTAs that we are talking about which means you should reserve just how much stock you want to put in them. These are a few practices in late May and things will change a lot even throughout training camp in a few months.
Nevertheless the Cowboys doing anything is exciting and we have corralled some updates for you on what took place at The Star.
Dak Prescott is in fact back.
QB Dak Prescott worked with Trainer/Rehab Coordinator Britt Brown on training cords before joining his teammates for drill and full team work during the periods media was allowed access.#CowboysOTA @wfaasports pic.twitter.com/qB7MdIXZLB
— Joe Trahan (@JoeTrahan) May 25, 2021
It was predictable that Prescott would be partly limited once things got going. Seeing him doing anything though is obviously something that feels very hopeful.
By the way, some other faces were on hand on Tuesday. Tyron Smith and La’el Collins!
Tyron Smith (77) and La’el Colins (71) did extra stretching during individual drills but eventually joined in full team work during the time media was allowed to see practice.#CowboysOTAs @wfaasports pic.twitter.com/Jr1MYIegKk
— Joe Trahan (@JoeTrahan) May 25, 2021
Getting Prescott back is obviously going to be a big deal for this offense, but an almost as important impact will be felt by having the tackle positions shored up.
On the other side of the coin, Blake Jarwin was not quite ready to go on Tuesday.
Cowboys TE Blake Jarwin is not quite ready yet to join teammates in drills following his ACL tear in Sep. 13, 2020, season opener. He caught tennis balls to side as practice began. Later joined group that ran to side with athletic trainer. pic.twitter.com/Cc5mWx4Te0
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) May 25, 2021
Amari Cooper was also someone who did not get involved.
Here was the Cowboys’ Big 3 at wide receiver. CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup practiced. Amari Cooper a spectator. Too much shouldn’t be made of every detail about who is doing what. This is one voluntary practice in May. Along those lines, RB Ezekiel Elliott absent. pic.twitter.com/kVdvs4nztw
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) May 25, 2021
As you can see by the tweet, Ezekiel Elliott was absent on Tuesday.
Getting back to optimism, things look very promising for Damontae Kazee. This is great news.
An important question in Cowboys’ secondary: When will S Damontae Kazee be ready to see substantial practice reps following Achilles tear early last season? Answer: now. His medical outlook a key reason why Dallas felt comfortable signing the ballhawking FS in free agency. pic.twitter.com/PFVRpMLdCX
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) May 25, 2021
The team’s first-round pick in Micah Parsons was also on hand.
First-round pick @MicahhParsons11 ran with the second team during the portions of practice the media was allowed to see. #CowboysOTAs @wfaasports pic.twitter.com/qFJResfz53
— Joe Trahan (@JoeTrahan) May 25, 2021
Some LB pairings: Micah Parsons/Keanu Neal; Leighton Vander Esch/Neal; Parsons/Jabril Cox; Parsons and LVE played MLB.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) May 25, 2021
Keep in mind that starters are not official at this time of year, but this is a good look at who might start at cornerback.
Unofficial first-team CBs; Trevon Diggs and Anthony Brown with Jourdan Lewis in the slot.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) May 25, 2021
Football is back! Kind of.