FRISCO, Texas — Despite a power outage delaying the start of the second week of OTAs on Tuesday, the players were back in the building on Wednesday to participate in the final few voluntary workouts before mandatory minicamp next week.
Micah Parsons, who was not present last week during OTAs, made his way in on Wednesday for the team's media day but did not participate in practice. He was not seen during Thursday's OTA media availability either.
When asked about the topic on Thursday, head coach Mike McCarthy said that Parsons was "in really good shape" but that there is "work to do" with a new defense he will have to catch up on.
"At the end of the day, everybody has a responsibility," McCarthy said. "It's our jobs. Obviously, we have this period of time to have football activity that's regulated. I wouldn't say fortunately, but 98-percent of our football team has been here. We've accomplished a lot."
"Everybody has a responsibility whether they're here or not here to get what they need, because when we get to Oxnard that is our one opportunity for real football."
Heading into his fourth season as one of the established premier pass rushers in the NFL, McCarthy has mentioned in the past that Parsons' next logical step would be to take on more of a leadership role with younger guys. With his absence at OTAs, McCarthy says he sees it as a missed opportunity to do that.
"I think any time that you have a chance to be together, it's an opportunity to improve," he said. "Whether it's in the mental realm, the physical realm and the emotional connection and so forth. It's a long year. Training camp is really the heightened focus for all of that, but it's definitely an opportunity that's been missed [for Parsons]."
Despite not being present at the facility, the communication between Parsons and the coaching staff has remained constant which gives McCarthy confidence that his three-time Pro Bowler will be ready when the time comes.
"He's engaged and he'll be ready when it's time," McCarthy said. "I have confidence in that. That interaction is going on [with Zimmer]. I feel comfortable that he will be ready to go."
