You don’t usually expect a regular practice to turn into a talking point, but that’s exactly what happened Thursday at Cowboys camp. One of the team’s biggest stars was suddenly not on the field, and another important player left after taking a hard hit. In just a few minutes, the mood shifted from routine drills to worried looks on the sideline. It wasn’t only about who was missing; it was about how these moments could impact the Cowboys’ season before it even starts. 

Tight end Jake Ferguson gave Cowboys fans a scare on Thursday when he left practice early after taking a hard shot from linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. in the red zone. The hit knocked the 6-foot-5 target awkwardly off his feet, leaving him on the ground for a few moments. He got up but couldn’t move properly and headed to the locker room. The scene had many worried it might be serious, especially given Ferguson’s value to the offense.

Thankfully, ESPN’s Todd Archer reported the next day that Ferguson is only dealing with a back contusion and essentially a bruise. That was a relief considering he just signed a four-year, $52 million extension with $30 million guaranteed. In 2023, the former fourth-round pick posted 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns, but a knee injury and Dak Prescott’s absence slowed him last season. Staying healthy will be key if he wants to bounce back and deliver for Dallas this year.

Micah Parsons was also missing from Thursday’s practice, marking the first time in camp he wasn’t on the field. “For the first time in training camp, Micah Parsons was not on the practice field Thursday with multiple sources indicating the Pro Bowl pass rusher was dealing with back tightness,” Archer said via X. Parsons has battled the same issue since minicamp and admitted it limited him back in June. Some wondered if his absence was contract-related, given his recent trade request, but this time it was purely about the injury.

The Cowboys’ star pass rusher has been dealing with back tightness since arriving in Oxnard, needing treatment while the team worked through drills. Jerry Jones later noted the injury was part of the bigger picture in ongoing negotiations, but for now, the priority is getting Parsons healthy. Given his impact on defense, keeping him on the field will be just as important as resolving any off-field matters before the season begins.

Micah Parsons and Jerry Jones clash over contract standoff

Micah Parsons shook things up less than a week ago when he went on social media and asked for a trade from the Cowboys. The three-time All-Pro is heading into his deal’s final year, and that $21.3 million salary is fully guaranteed. Even with the trade request hanging in the air, Parsons hasn’t skipped camp. He’s been showing up to all the required team activities, standing on the sidelines, and waiting to see if a new deal will come together.

The whole mess started with a conversation between Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones earlier this offseason. Parsons thought it was just casual talk and expected his agent, David Mulugheta, to handle the actual negotiations. Jones, however, walked away thinking they had already agreed on the key terms. “There is no question that… you have to have it in writing,” Jones said. But there’s no signed extension, and both sides now see things very differently.

Jones has already said he’s not sure Parsons will be on the field for the Sept. 4 opener against the Eagles. Parsons is still in Oxnard, California, and if he leaves camp, it could cost him $50,000 a day in fines, though the Cowboys could wipe those away if a deal gets done. Jones insists he won’t trade him, and sources say no teams have even called about it yet. Meanwhile, there’s been zero real contact between the Cowboys and Mulugheta, so the standoff continues.