OXNARD, Calif. — La’el Collins was smiling because he feels at home.
Collins signed with the Cowboys late last week to provide depth to an offensive line group that is dealing with health issues.
This is Collins’ third stint with the Cowboys.
He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015 and played six seasons, although he didn’t play in 2020 due to a drug suspension and injuries. He spent the 2022 season in Cincinnati but was cut in 2023. The Cowboys picked him up toward the end of the 2023 season, signing him to the practice squad.
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In 2024, he signed with Buffalo and was cut before the start of the season.
Now he’s back — lighter at 300 pounds — and in a good place mentally.
“It feels like a new beginning, at home, you know,” Collins said. “Feel like just happy to be back, super excited to show what I got left in the tank and ready to go.”
What does he have left?
“A whole lot,” he said. “My body is fresh. That’s a whole lot, so just all about being consistent in my prep.”
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Collins said he worked out with offensive line guru Duke Manyweather this offseason to lose some weight and sharpen his skills in case he got another opportunity to play.
Once that opportunity became the Cowboys, it meant Collins would be reunited with his close friend, quarterback Dak Prescott.
“Dak is a brother of mine,” Collins said.
The Cowboys want position flexibility with Collins, so he’ll start at right tackle before playing some guard during training camp practices.
“This is probably the best I’ve felt in a long time,” Collins said. “When I left, I was OK going into that year and the first year since Cincinnati, I had a lot of adversity just with my body and stuff. So now, my body is fresh. I haven’t played ball in terms of a lot in a while, so, I feel good and just going to continue to be proactive, continue to trust the process.”
Not worried about Parsons
With Micah Parsons continuing his hold-in, coach Brian Schottenheimer said he’s not worried about his best pass rusher not being ready for the start of the 2025 season if his contract dispute lasts into late August.
The only thing Schottenheimer is concerned about is the younger offensive tackles not getting reps against Parsons.
“I think the first one that jumps off the film is probably that, challenging our young tackles,” Schottenheimer said. “Of course, you wanted to see [Tyler] Guyton and Micah last year and then Tyler had the setback. And going up against [Terence] Steele or Nate Thomas, speed and all that stuff that’s part of the competition that we talk about. So that’s the first thing in terms of the scheme fit of moving Micah around and that stuff, we can get those things done in walkthroughs.”
Parsons attended practice and wore a jersey. On Saturday, the day after his trade request, he wore a Cowboys hoodie and not a jersey, something Schottenheimer wants to see his players wear.
“Not a big deal, we want all our guys to be the same,” Schottenheimer said. “There’s usually a reason, if a guy is not in that but again, for the most part, we’re a team and we’re going to act like a team and usually you see them all in gear.”
Health-related movement
Defensive tackle Mazi Smith left practice with an undisclosed injury. Left guard Tyler Smith (knee) was limited in practice. Schottenheimer said safety Juanyeh Thomas (leg) will miss another week of practice. Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford (right ankle) could have a protective boot removed later this week.
Brock Hoffman got first-team reps at left guard for Smith. Before Mazi Smith left with an injury, Solomon Thomas and Osa Odighizuwa got work on the first-team. The Cowboys are mixing and matching the cornerbacks and Kemon Hall got work on the second team as the nickelback. Hall got a pass breakup in practice.
Quarterback Will Grier had only one snap in team drills and connected with receiver Jalen Brooks, who made a leaping catch in beating Israel Mukuamu.
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