After missing the first week of offseason team activities, Micah Parsons reported Wednesday. However, the Dallas Cowboys star has yet to participate in voluntary practices.
Per ESPN’s Todd Archer, Parsons appeared at the team facilities on Wednesday for off-field responsibilities without practicing. He doesn’t seem to be in the building Thursday.
When pressed about Parsons’ participation, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy referenced former Cowboys linebacker Darren Hambrick once asking, “What do voluntary mean?”
“I’m not doing attendance,” McCarthy said, per Lone Star Live’s Joseph Hoyt. “I’m not going to come up here and talk about one player when 98% of them are here.”
Per The Athletic’s Jon Machota, McCarthy said Parsons showed up “in really good shape.” The star edge rusher has trained with a professional boxing instructor this offseason.
The head coach also noted that Parsons has missed time to bond with teammates under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
“It’s a new defense,” McCarthy said. “We have work to do. We’ll be ready when it’s time.”
Parsons is under contract through 2025, but he’s eligible for an extension this offseason. However, the 25-year-old told Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that his absence has nothing to do with his contract situation or any dissatisfaction with the organization.
Parsons, who didn’t participate in voluntary offseason activities last year, has reportedly “kept in touch” with Cowboys coaches during his time away from the team.
The former first-round pick is coming off another Pro Bowl campaign. Parsons finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting after tallying 14 sacks and 33 quarterback hits.