Parsons brushes off OTAs absence: I'm caught up on defense

Dallas Cowboys star linebacker Micah Parsons explained Tuesday his absence from voluntary OTAs, saying he can do the same individual work with his personal trainer.

"It's hard to really teach someone without pads or true contact or hand points. It's just not realistic when you can't even touch (someone), or we're going to lose a draft pick," Parsons said, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.

"It's outrageous. Right now, it's more technique. It's a lot of walk-throughs. So from my position, where I'm at, it's a lot of individual and I can do individual by myself or with my trainer."

Head coach Mike McCarthy labeled Parson's absence from OTAs a "missed opportunity" as the Cowboys aim to learn new coordinator Mike Zimmer's defense. However, he added that Parsons was "engaged" and that the unit would be ready when necessary.

Parsons returned to the field Tuesday for the team's first mandatory minicamp session and said he's already up to speed on Zimmer's philosophy.

"Defense is defense. I'm pretty much caught up on everything," Parsons added. "I really wasn't missing anything, so I feel like I was just getting better, getting stronger, faster. Just doing my things and what Micah does in the offseason."

While Parsons rejoined Dallas on the field, star receiver CeeDee Lamb didn't report as he seeks a new contract.