Cowboys' Lawrence unsure about reporting to training camp

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was among the NFL players to call out the league in a coordinated social media campaign for failing to form a safe return plan for training camp.

The NFL and the NFLPA not reaching an agreement on health and safety protocols to combat the COVID-19 pandemic particularly affects Lawrence, as his wife, Sasha, is pregnant and due in October.

While Lawrence wants to play, he's prioritizing the well-being of his family.

"I'm taking it one time at a time, talking with my team and trying to figure out as many details as possible before I make a decision and have it set in stone," Lawrence told ESPN's Todd Archer. "Shoot, I love to ride with my brothers and play the game of football. When I have to take that away from myself, it's hard and I don't want to make a decision like that.

"But I also have to make sure I'm taking care of my family. Family is No. 1. After the game of football is done, that's the only thing I have to depend on, so I've got to take care of them."

Training camps around the league are set to begin as early as Monday.

Players opting out is a key issue the league and union are attempting to navigate. If Lawrence doesn't report to training camp, he could be required to pay back some of his $25-million signing bonus from the five-year, $105-million contract he signed last year.

"It's those type of thing that make you think, 'Man, are we some pawns? Is my life just a game,'" Lawrence said. "I know I ain't got forever to play, but at the end of the day, come on, you're just going to toss me around because you've got dollar signs in your face?"

Lawrence is a key piece of Dallas' defense, and he's racked up 30 sacks while forcing five fumbles over the last three seasons.