Photo Courtesy: Dallas Cowboys
OXNARD, California — Football is officially underway. The Dallas Cowboys are back in California after taking a league mandated one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a sense of normalcy again as fans crowd the stands to get a glimpse of the squad in silver and blue. On Thursday, Cowboys’ head coach Mike McCarthy answered a myriad of questions from reporters, many addressing injury status. Here are some of the key takeaways from the press conference and the club’s first practice from Oxnard.
Six players on the PUP list:
The Cowboys placed several players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list including defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (back), wide receiver Amari Cooper (ankle), defensive end Chauncey Golston (hamstring), kicker Greg Zuerlein (back), defensive tackle Trysten Hill (knee), and offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt (knee), per Mike McCarthy. All did not participate in Thursday’s first training camp practice. Rookie receiver T.J. Vasher was placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list.
Players on PUP and NFL can be activated anytime during training camp. McCarthy repeatedly noted that he did not see any long-term absences or high concern for any of the players under the above designation. The team is taking precautionary measures.
Both Lawrence and Cooper did not participate in OTA practices open to media and underwent clean-up procedures. Zuerlein is continuing to work his way back from back surgery in the offseason and Hill tore his ACL against the Giants in Week 5. He is continuing to rehab, and according to McCarthy is “right on schedule.”
Blake Jarwin’s return:
Tight end Blake Jarwin practiced for the first time since tearing his ACL in Week 1 against the Rams. During OTA’s, Jarwin was restricted to rehab work with the training staff. Dalton Schultz exceeded expectations in Jarwin’s absence with a breakout campaign in 2020 as Dallas’ TE1. The mismatch is back between the hash marks, and it is a welcome sight for the Cowboys. There will likely be an increase in 12 and 22 personnel in Kellen Moore’s system utilizing both playmakers.
McCarthy stressed 11 personnel (three wide receivers) was the focus last year but is “not the case this year” with the return of Jarwin.
The great wall is back:
Dak Prescott’s protectors in the trenches have returned. Right tackle La’el Collins, left tackle Tyron Smith, and right guard Zack Martin are back to full speed in pads. McCarthy confirmed in his press conference that the trio will not be limited and will “take all the reps with the ones.”
Collins nursed several injuries throughout the 2020 offseason and was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury prior to Week 1. The team was hopeful he would return after the mandatory three-week IR period ended, but instead, Collins decided to undergo hip surgery. In addition, Smith missed Weeks 2 and 3 due to a lingering neck issue but played in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns. The seven-time pro bowler’s 2020 season ended prematurely after deciding to undergo correctable neck surgery. Then to add to the injury-ravaged line, Martin injured his calf during the team’s Thanksgiving loss to Washington and the All-Pro was placed on injured reserve.
Now, they are back as full participants to clear the pocket for Prescott.
Dan Quinn’s approach:
A new era begins on defense under Dan Quinn. Throughout the offseason, players and coaches alike have stressed and raved about Quinn’s attention to detail and energetic spirit around the facility. He certainly brought the teaching aspect to training camp.
“Dan’s meeting yesterday, he spent 10 minutes talking about note-taking,” McCarthy recalled to reporters. “When you have that level of experience and if you see Joe Philbin put in the run game install, you can see their experience as teachers and the adaptation of the generation that we’re coaching today as opposed to the guys we coached 20, 25 years ago.”
His passion for the game and hands-on approach has sparked a fire in the defensive unit. The focus and time spent on the mental aspect of the game will lead to production on-the-field. Better understanding of the scheme and Quinn’s vision will breed faster play.
