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Micah Parsons turns heads at Cowboys practice with unexpected absence

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons drew even more attention with his initial absence during Thursday's training camp practice in Oxnard. However, he eventually showed up for post-practice walkthroughs.

Zach Dimmitt

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons celebrates after a sack against the Washington Commanders.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons celebrates after a sack against the Washington Commanders. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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No matter what he does, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons continues to make headlines after requesting a trade.

Still unsigned to a desired contract extension, Parsons remains a non-participant at training camp as he deals with what he is calling a back injury. Even after the trade request, he has remained present on the sidelines at practice to avoid any potential fines.

However, there was no sign of Parsons during Thursday's session in Oxnard for the first time in camp, causing many fans to run wild with assumptions.

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Jerry Jones was also absent to begin practice, leading some to believe that potential contract talks or even a pending trade could be in the works.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons at training camp in Oxnard.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons at training camp in Oxnard. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

But despite not being present while most of the media was in attendance, Parsons ended up showing up afterwards like normal to participate in a post-practice walkthrough, per ESPN's Todd Archer. Parsons' absence was a result of him receiving treatment for back tightness.

This quickly put to rest any hope of a Parsons contract potentially getting done behind the scenes. It also temporarily ended anticipation from around the league that a trade could be happening headed into the weekend.

It's possible that Parsons' situation could remain unchanged headed into the days leading up to Week 1's opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. He can't force a trade, and Jerry Jones has shrugged off the possibility of that happening.

Even if they do trade Parsons, it's likely the Cowboys would never get back a return of equal value anyways. It would be in the best interest of the Dallas front office to save any further headaches and simply sign Parsons to his desired amount.

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But of course, the logical solution is easier said than done when the team's 82-year-old owner is also a media-happy general manager that continues to cause more harm than good as of late.

Parsons drama aside, the Cowboys will have to focus on the task ahead on Saturday in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons against the Washington Commanders.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons against the Washington Commanders. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He currently is an editor and contributor across several ON SI team sites, including Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI, and contributes to the On SI channels for the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. Zach started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. During his career, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7.

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