Just as the Dallas Cowboys activated 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker off the non-football injury list, they lose first-rounder Mazi Smith.
Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Smith has been battling tendinitis in his knee during training camp and will undergo a precautionary MRI.
This could explain why Smith hasn't popped at camp as much as fans expected. The Michigan product hasn't made many splash plays, but he's compiled a number of impressive reps and his strength has been on full display in Oxnard.
Perhaps this is a case of the Cowboys being overly cautious with their first-round pick. The team rested CeeDee Lamb Monday, Trevon Diggs was eased back from his bruised toe, and Tyler Smith missed Tuesday with back tightness.
It's typically hard to quell concerns when an MRI is involved, but Michael Gelhken of the Dallas Morning News reported Smith is "fine."
Just mentioned on Inside Training Camp: #Cowboys first-round pick DT Mazi Smith isn’t practicing today here in Oxnard, and a source said he’s getting a precautionary MRI on his knee. Smith has been battling tendinitis in camp.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 8, 2023
Cowboys News: Mazi Smith knee injury, Micah Parsons on NFL Top 100, Trevon Diggs dominates
In other Cowboys news, Micah Parsons checked in at No. 9 in the NFL Top 100. It's yet another impressive feat for Parsons, who placed No. 16 in the ranking last year. The two-time runner up for Defensive Player of the Year will hope to crack the top five next season and that's well within his purview given the leap he made from his rookie year to his second season.
Parsons has made it clear that he'll never be satisfied until he's No. 1. He said this week that he doesn't want to just make the Hall of Fame; he wants to be one of the best players to ever get enshrined in Canton.
Parsons sets a lofty standard for himself, so you can understand his disappointment about not ranking higher.
.@MicahhParsons11 reacts to being ranked in the top 10 on the #NFLTop100.
— NFL (@NFL) August 8, 2023
Stream the NFL Top 100 reveal show: https://t.co/7YSO8XHOAF pic.twitter.com/Pf9j13QWPs
Barring something unforeseen, Parsons will make another notable jump in the Top 100 next year -- hopefully with DPOY hardware to show for it.
Getting back to the practice field, Tyler Biadasz departed Tuesday's practice with an apparent leg injury. Biadasz initially returned to the sideline and participated in individual drills before heading to the medical tent for evaluation.
Like Mazi Smith, Biadasz is expected to be just fine.
The biggest takeaway from Tuesday in Oxnard, however, was Trevon Diggs hauling in two interceptions (he nearly had a third) on Dak Prescott.
Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs the wide receiver, leaping over CeeDee Lamb for interception. pic.twitter.com/mMmmQ4K1Aw
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 8, 2023
Lamb likely makes a play on that if he's not backpedaling, so credit to Diggs for catching the errant pass and getting his feet in bounds.
Though impressive, it paled in comparison to his second pick.
Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs does the Deion after intercepting Dak Prescott a second time in about 10 minutes. https://t.co/iANjnBFISF pic.twitter.com/nwKFY4cpBP
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 8, 2023
Diggs' ball-tracking skills are the best of any cornerback in the NFL, and it's not close.
The intensity on display in Oxnard has been a sight to behold, and the competitive balance is exactly what fans should want from a defense that should be top-five in the league (if not higher) and an offense that has top-10 potential.