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Micah Parsons explained his decision not to participate in the Dallas Cowboys’ voluntary offseason workouts again.
Reporting for mandatory minicamp, the star edge rusher reiterated that his absence wasn’t related to contract desires. Parsons prefers to focus on less conventional offseason training methods such as boxing and sumo wrestling.
“That’s always been my style,” Parsons said, per team reporter Patrik Walker. “I have been here [for voluntary workouts] since my rookie season. I don’t think it’s anything new. I have my own way of doing things.”
Parsons said his position consists of individual work he can do away from the team. The edge rusher doesn’t think he fell behind by exploring his own avenues.
“Defense is defense,” Parsons said. “I’m pretty much caught up on everything. … I really wasn’t missing anything. I was just getting better, getting faster, getting stronger. Just doing what Micah does in the offseason — wrestling sumos. I just had fun.”
Parsons said he’ll have plenty of time to prepare during the team’s 31-day training camp, and he believes the true work begins after non-contact practices.
“I think that’s really the time when you see everything. It’s hard to someone without pads or true contact, hand points — it’s not even realistic when you can’t touch each other without losing a draft pick or something like that,” he said.
Parsons also wanted to rest his body before taking on the brunt of NFL physicality. He acknowledged the business aspect of his process by noting that his body is “all I have to offer to the Cowboys.”
“I’m just looking at letting my body heal,” Parsons said. “I’m an undersized rusher that gets banged up every year. I’m just letting my body heal and grow, strengthen, and get ready for the year.”
Parsons is back with the team for mandatory minicamp to prepare for his fourth season. The 25-year-old has already made three Pro Bowls with 40.5 career sacks, so his approach hasn’t hurt thus far.