The Cowboys drafted rookie Matt Johnson with the hopes he'd have an outside shot to win a starting job – as early as this season.
First things first . . . he needs to practice.
Other than three days of rookie minicamp back in early May, Johnson has yet to participate in any of the three weeks of OTAs and now the start of minicamp.
It's not Johnson's fault, considering he is ineligible to participate because classes at Eastern Washington have yet to conclude. Finals at EWU run through Thursday so there is a chance Johnson can get on the practice field by then.
"He's not allowed to be here, but we've been in contact with him," head coach Jason Garrett said. "You are allowed to have communication and get information to these guys, you just can't have him here."
This isn't the first time the Cowboys have experienced this issue. Players at Ohio State have often been late to report. Victor Butler missed a few weeks of OTAs because he was in school at Oregon State back in 2009.
Johnson is expected to compete for playing time with fellow safeties Gerald Sensabaugh, Barry Church and Brodney Pool.
