OXNARD, Calif. – The owner and the head coach didn't seem to have all the answers, but the facts were pretty simple: Cole Beasley did not practice on Friday and it doesn't appear he will be playing anymore with the Cowboys.
Beasley, a rookie from SMU who had a good chance of making the team, has decided to quit the team for personal reasons.
The Cowboys officially placed him on Reserved/Left Squad meaning they will retain his rights.
One team source said Beasley's "heart isn't in football right now" and added he didn't expect the rookie receiver to change his mind.
Owner Jerry Jones didn't have a lot of information about the situation when he chatted with reporters in the middle of Friday's afternoon practice.
According to numerous sources, Cowboys officials, including scouts, coaches and front-office personnel, tried to convince Beasley to stay.
"I don't understand right now," Jones said. "All I know is he wasn't at practice. I didn't realize we had an issue with him until we got to practice."
Head coach Jason Garrett didn't comment much on the matter as well, stating he would address it more in Saturday's daily press conference after the morning walk-through practice.
One of the standouts of the summer practices, Beasley entered training camp with an outside shot to win the No. 3 receiver position, possibly beating out Kevin Ogletree.