Micah Parsons wants out but Cowboys welcome back former star

There will be mixed emotions around the Dallas Cowboys fan base this weekend after a busy day of news from training camp.

On one hand, they’ve brought back a familiar face in La’el Collins. On the other, one of their biggest stars, Micah Parsons, appears to want out.

Parsons, the team’s All-Pro linebacker, has stayed away from camp amid growing tension with the front office. After months of stand-off over his new contract, Parsons has finally confirmed his intention to leave the team with a strongly-worded message released on Friday.

But with one player outgoing, Cowboys have at least managed to re-sign La-el Collins, who returns to Dallas on a one-year deal. The veteran offensive lineman spent six seasons with the Cowboys from 2015 to 2021 before stints in Cincinnati and briefly in Buffalo. He has recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him last year and will now rejoin a Dallas line in need of depth and leadership.

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of LSU, Collins started 74 games for the Cowboys during his first spell and played a key role in protecting quarterback Dak Prescott during playoff-caliber seasons.

His return brings a sense of familiarity to the locker room, something the team could use as the Parsons saga drags on.

As the season draws closer, the Cowboys find themselves battling to build momentum under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. There have been positive training camp showings from Prescott and George Pickens, but the loss of Parsons will be a big one and it asks major questions of the front office in Dallas.

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