The Dallas Cowboys will begin training camp with no shortage of questions to answer. Chiefly among these curiosities is how much better the defense can be under the tutelage of first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker, Brian Schottenheimer's hand-picked Matt Eberflus replacement.
And while the unit certainly made talent upgrades at all three levels this offseason, a player's best ability is always availability. Unfortunately for Dallas, a handful of key cogs in the defensive wheel did not participate or suffered some ailments during OTAs or mandatory minicamp.
Starting cornerback DaRon Bland didn't touch the field during the offseason program, nor did edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, whom the Cowboys need a big Year 2 leap out of. Big-ticket free agent signing Jalen Thompson also missed time, although his injury never seemed all that serious.
But as padded practices get under way, Parker's unit is getting reinforcements.
Cowboys' clean bill of health is a godsend for new DC Christian Parker
During Tuesday's wild press conference, in which Jerry Jones reignited the Maxx Crosby trade saga no more than five minutes after stating that he didn't intend on stirring up any drama, Stephen Jones also made a note about the Cowboys' health heading into camp.
As DallasCowboys.com reporter Tommy Yarrish noted, Stephen Jones said that Dallas doesn't foresee any players being on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) or Non-Football Injury (NFI) lists for training camp. That is the perfect gift for Parker on training camp eve.
Getting several fundamental pieces back for this defense will give the team, coaching staff and fanbase a better indication of where the group is at. With Bland on one boundary, it will become clearer who has the edge opposite him between Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel Jr.
With Ezeiruaku bookending the defensive line with Rashan Gary, fans can see how much Malachi Lawrence is challenging the second-year pro for reps. Thompson's being back will give everyone an indication of how all the new secondary pieces fit together. Clarity is everything in training camp.
Having DaRon Bland and Dononvan Ezeiruaku healthy for training camp is massive
It will be tough enough for Parker to keep his head above the water in the coming months, between a big promotion that brings more notoriety, having to face a lethal Cowboys offense every day in practice, and the general stress and under-a-microscope feeling that comes with coaching in Dallas.
Dealing with all of that while not having a handful of key starters, though? I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, and especially not the Cowboys' first-year defensive coordinator. Thankfully, Parker won't have to deal with this, though, as Dallas has a clean bill of health ahead of training camp.
How long it will stay that way is another question. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with starting out on the right foot and giving an inexperienced play-caller as few distractions and obstacles to dodge as possible. So, shoutout to the strength and training staff in Dallas!
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