FRISCO, Texas – Taco Charlton was absent from the Cowboys' Wednesday morning practice – which is bound to raise some questions.
The third-year defensive end is not injured, as he has been a healthy inactive in each of the team's first two games. That fact has prompted plenty of speculation about his future, as Charlton has made it abundantly clear he is not happy with his current role on the team.
It remains to be seen why Charlton isn't at practice, but his absence will only further that speculation. The Cowboys currently need to create an open roster spot for Robert Quinn, who is returning from a two-game suspension this week.
The Cowboys currently have a roster exemption that allows Quinn to practice without being on the 53-man roster, but that exemption expires at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said the coaching staff was still weighing its options about how to create that roster spot for Quinn.
For the time being, it's still unclear how that'll happen – but Charlton's absence is undoubtedly intriguing.
Elsewhere, the Cowboys are managing several injury concerns as they return to practice. Tavon Austin and Michael Gallup were both absent while they recover from injury. Gallup had surgery on his torn meniscus Tuesday morning, while Austin is still in concussion protocol.
Tyrone Crawford also missed practice to tend to his ailing hip, while Luke Gifford is still missing time with an ankle injury.
