It’s been less than a week since Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons publicly requested a trade after failing to reach a contract extension agreement this offseason, and doubt is now surrounding his potential availability for the upcoming season.
Speaking on Tuesday to reporters, owner and general manager Jerry Jones did not have confidence that Parsons would suit up for the Cowboys for their week-one matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“No, absolutely not,” Jones said if he had confidence. “A big part of that is his decision. How would I know that? But I’m urgent.”
Through 11 training camp practices in Southern California, Parsons has not participated on the field in any capacity. He has been seen wearing his No. 11 jersey on the sideline while talking to players and maneuvering around the field. He has also remained in meetings and walkthrough practices.
If Parsons were to hold out from the week-one game, he would be the first Cowboy to not play in a game due to contractual issues since Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith in 1993. Seeking an extension, Smith held out of the first two games of the season before receiving a four-year, $13.6 million deal. He would go on to lead the NFL in rushing yards (1,486) that season on his way to an MVP win and a Super Bowl victory.
With this season quickly approaching, Jones said that he is feeling the urgency of the situation.
“I stay urgent,” Jones said. “We’ll work through it, or we won’t work through it.”
The Cowboys will open their preseason slate on Saturday with a matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. After two more exhibitions — against the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons — the Cowboys will open the regular season on the road on Sept. 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first game of the 2025 NFL season.
If Parsons were to miss that game, it would be just the sixth game he’s missed in his career that began in 2021. He missed the regular-season finale in 2021 after the Cowboys had clinched a playoff spot and then four games in 2024 due to a high ankle sprain.