Cowboys' Jones takes jab at Parsons' 2024 injury amid contract talks

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones pointed out pass-rusher Micah Parsons missing time last season when addressing the star linebacker's ongoing contract negotiations.

"Just because we sign (Parsons) doesn't mean we're going to have him," Jones told reporters Monday. "He was hurt six games last year. Seriously."

Parsons sat out only four games last season due to injury, not the six Jones mentioned. The Cowboys' owner later referenced quarterback Dak Prescott's 2024 hamstring issue as another example of the potential risk of giving players lucrative contracts.

"I remember signing a player for the highest paid at the position in the league, and he got knocked out two-thirds of the year. Dak Prescott. There's a lot of things you can think about, just as the player does, when you're thinking about committing and guaranteeing money."

The Penn State product has yet to respond to Jones' comments but retweeted a post from former three-time Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt criticizing Jones.

Parsons reported to training camp Monday, despite his frustration with Dallas' lack of urgency in negotiations. The four-time Pro Bowler also attended mandatory minicamp, while other high-profile edge rushers looking for deals at the time, such as Trey Hendrickson and T.J. Watt, sat out their team's June sessions.

The 26-year-old is entering the final season of his rookie deal and is set to play the 2025 campaign on the fifth-year option. Parsons won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2021.

"Contracts are four, five years, OK? There's a lot of water under the bridge if you step out there and do something in the first two or three. You can get hit by a car, seriously," Jones said.

"There's a lot to look at over a lot of years that could make a big difference. Have you heard of any clubs committing to players, then they didn't pan out after they committed to them? We have."

Jones, 82, added that he's committed to remaining the Cowboys general manager for the time being, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.