The first day of the offseason program for Cowboys players brought a back-to-school feel to The Star in Frisco on Monday. We’ll show you two special treats that were waiting for those who reported for the opening voluntary workouts, and we’ll answer the biggest question of all with a look at whether Micah Parsons was in attendance. Dak Prescott offered some thoughts on Parsons’s leadership opportunities and offered advice on the linebacker’s contract situation, and there are conflicting perspectives on Prescott’s hamstring injury. The quarterback himself gives a surprising update, even as another outlet offers an explanation for why he’s not yet fully healed… and why that may be a concern moving forward.
Meanwhile, we dive into the draft with a look at why Day 2 may be way too late to get help at one key position, we explore both the chances and the wisdom of taking a certain Boise State ballcarrier early, and we explain why this may be a good year to grab a tight end despite not having a pressing need for one. All that, plus Dallas connections in the WNBA draft, and Zack Martin reveals his love/hate relationship with one (predictable) NFC East rival.
Dak Prescott: Hamstring improving, could play game ‘if I had to’ :: ESPN
“If I had to play a game today, I definitely could do that,” Prescott said just a few days ago. “I’m getting close to where I want to be. I don’t want to put a percentage on it,” Prescott said. “I know we’ve got team activities coming up, [I] imagine myself being involved in some sort if not all.” He admitted, though, that he’s not rushing anything; he wants to be his best come Week 1 and be ready to go for up to 20 games.
More than five months later, Dak Prescott’s hamstring still hasn’t completely healed :: ProFootballTalk
Most hamstring injuries heal in weeks. For Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, it’s been more than five months. Analyst Chris Simms has theorized that Prescott’s “unconventional” throwing motion puts added stress on the upper hamstring/lower glute area. Maybe that’s causing a longer rehab. Maybe it also makes him more susceptible to a recurrence. And maybe it makes Joe Milton’s acquisition a lot more important.
Micah Parsons in attendance at Cowboys’ first day of voluntary workouts :: Cowboys Wire
Despite not having the contract extension he had hoped for, the edge rusher extraordinaire reported to The Star for the first day of the team’s voluntary workouts. Parsons has skipped these sessions the past two offseasons, but his presence this time around has to be taken as a good omen, both for his leadership and his long-range future with the club.
Cowboys’ early arrivals get wiggly surprise on Day 1 :: Dallas Cowboys
the early ‘boy gets the worm 🪱 pic.twitter.com/4PPyd0D8Mr
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 14, 2025
Dak Prescott advises Micah Parsons to ‘stay positive’ in contract talks with Cowboys :: The Mothership
After losing several team leaders over the offseason, the Cowboys could stand to see some younger guys step up. Prescott believes Parsons can be that kind of presence in the locker room. “But I will tell you,” the quarterback said, “that those are the kinds of things that I want to personally have total and complete satisfaction that I’ve got a commitment from him, and that I can see that it’s not just contract talk.”
Coach Schottenheimer welcomes players back with crawfish boil :: Brandon Loree
Looks like the #Cowboys are having crawfish on their first day back at the facility, brought to you by the best in the business—@MeatChurch
HC Brian Schottenheimer doing it right on his first day.
(📸: @walkinseatbelt on IG) pic.twitter.com/kiBVzUBDlj
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 14, 2025
High draft bust rate at this position’s consolation prizes could alter Cowboys plans :: Cowboys Wire
All four projected first-round WRs received invites to be among the Cowboys official 30 visits. But if Dallas goes a different direction with the No. 12 pick, they should bear in mind that second-day WRs haven’t been hitting as of late. Teams are often better off looking to Day 3, rather than wasting a valuable top-100 pick on second- and third-tier receivers. And make no mistake; the Cowboys need a Week 1 starter, not just another warm body down on the depth chart.
2025 Draft Wildcard: Cowboys don’t need this position now, but will soon :: Cowboys Wire
With so many immediate needs elsewhere on the roster, pushing the tight end position to next year may be the smart way to go. But Jake Ferguson is coming off a poor season, the jury is still out on Luke Schoonmaker, and their backups ran into all kinds of bad luck last year. With this year’s draft class loaded with good prospects, Dallas may feel compelled to pounce on one who falls their way.
2025 NFL draft: Latest news, questions for all 32 team picks :: ESPN+
The Las Vegas Raiders are believed to be very interested in Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with Pick No. 6 in the draft. If Jeanty slips past that spot, though, it’s the Bears who may be waiting with open arms. “The Bears love Ashton Jeanty, according to scouts around the league who’ve observed the team’s activity this offseason,” analyst Matt Miller notes. He’s looking like a long shot to still be on the board at No. 12 for Dallas.
Picking Ashton Jeanty in top 10 would be a mistake, learning wrong lesson from Saquon Barkley :: The Athletic
Saquon Barkley didn’t magically get better in his first year with the Eagles. He was largely the same player, just in a dramatically better situation and on a much better team. He wasn’t the reason Philadelphia won the Super Bowl; he was the cherry on top. If a team means to draft Jeanty with a top-10 pick, they had better believe the rest of the roster is already set to playoff mode, especially at the premium positions.
Cowboys defender cheers girlfriend as she goes No. 3 in WNBA draft :: Cowboys Wire
Paige Bueckers to the Dallas Wings got the big headlines, but Cowboys second-year linebacker Marist Liufau had a more personal interest in the No. 3 overall pick in Monday’s WNBA draft. His girlfriend, Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron, was selected by the Washington Mystics. Liufau was by Citron’s side as her name was called.
See which team former Cowboy Zack Martin hated the most and how Jon Gruden motivated him :: Dallas Morning News
Zack Martin revealed to Chris Long on his podcast that the Eagles were (naturally) his most hated opponent, but he admitted that he loved playing in their stadium. “Great grass,” he said. “And every time we played there it was a Sunday night or a primetime Sunday afternoon game. So it was always a great atmosphere.” He also told the story of Jon Gruden ragging him at the Pro Bowl about getting three holding penalties one year, and how he never had more than one in any year after that.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys News: Dak Prescott rehab updates; Micah Parsons back at work