Installation is the underlying theme of OTAs, but nothing matters more than getting through the offseason program healthy. That's easier said than done in a league with a 100 percent injury rate, as even one notable setback can alter the trajectory of a season before it begins.
The Dallas Cowboys entered organized team activities with a handful of injury concerns, headlined by the recoveries of DaRon Bland and Donovan Ezeiruaku. There were also questions about Shavon Revel, who was limited to seven games as a rookie and wore a bulky brace on his left leg upon completing his ACL rehab.
Well, the Cowboys have gotten nothing but positive updates thus far. Starting with Revel, the second-year cornerback has shed his brace and told reporters that his knee is 100 percent healthy. Here's what Revel said about having a healthy offseason:
"It's very beneficial. Just because I can clean up a lot of things, a lot of errors I didn't see last year, or I did see last year, that I could clean up this year."
We've got a new coaching staff, they're very detailed and very technical. When it comes to things, each day is intentional to get better. That's what I feel like I've been doing. Of course, there's some things I need to work on. My knee is 100%, so now it's time to focus on situational ball, and I've got to see what I need to fix or get better at."
Dallas Cowboys get positive injury updates on Shavon Revel, DaRon Bland, and Donovan Ezeiruaku
Revel fell to the third round of last year's draft after tearing his ACL in September of his senior year. He suffered a setback in his recovery last summer, which added another two months to his timeline.
Whether the brace limited his mobility or he lacked confidence after a prolonged rehab, Revel did not look 100 percent when he returned, and his performance bore that out.
Now enjoying his first healthy offseason as an NFL player, though, his confidence is where Dallas needs it to be. And the hope is that he is joined on the field by Bland and Ezeiruaku once the Cowboys head to Oxnard, CA., for training camp.
Neither Bland nor Ezeiruaku will see the field during OTAs, but that's by design. Brian Schottenheimer said the Cowboys are being ultra-cautious with both players, and training camp remains the expected timeline for their returns.
"Both guys are doing great. It's more of us taking precautions and being smart. You know, they both want to get out there, but, again, it's OTAs. It's more important that they're learning the scheme and system and all of that, as opposed to them going out there and getting a tea lunch."
Missing practice time is never ideal -- especially for two players the Cowboys are counting on -- but Bland and Ezeiruaku are in the advanced stages of their recoveries. Even being limited to band work, they're able to absorb Christian Parker's scheme.
That's what matters most, and Dallas still has plenty of time to get both players back into football shape. If all goes according to plan, they'll be full-go when training camp opens.
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