Dallas Cowboys Missing Key Trio At OTAs
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IRVING (105.3 THE FAN) - The absent trio of Dez Bryant, Rolando McClain and Greg Hardy stole headlines from Cowboys OTAs on Wednesday, each of the three talented standouts missing for three different reasons.
Bryant doesn't yet have a contract. McClain is working on his own rather than take part in voluntary work at Valley Ranch. Hardy was ill and is expected back on Thursday.
Cowboys COO Stephen Jones addressed Dez' situation following the workout, noting, "This is the tough part of our business. We'll continue to make progress on (a long-term deal rather than just the franchise-tag one-year deal) and know that at some point Dez will join us and be ready to go. … It's just a process.''
In the case of McClain, he's home in Alabama, though coach Jason Garrett said the club is "in communication'' with the starting middle linebacker.
And Hardy? The pass-rushing star awaits the results of his appeal of the NFL's 10-game suspension due to his involvement in a domestic-violence case. But this absence is unrelated to that issue, the Cowboys say.
Backup running back Ryan Williams (knee) was unable to go on Wednesday. Rookie tackle Chaz Green left the field with a trainer early in the workout. DeMarcus Lawrence was limited to weight-room work. Darren McFadden did sideline work.
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Sean Lee and Mo Claiborne were limited participants as they return from 2014 knee injuries.
Most of these issues will work themselves out — yes, even the running back situation, termed by Jones as one that has the Cowboys "comfortable'' but "always looking.'' But one issue stands above the rest.
"Dez has great energy, has great passion, and it's infectious," Garrett said, lamenting the absence of one of the game's great stars. "He's a special player, a special guy. We love having him around. He's working through his business part right now.''
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