The start of training camp has officially begun at Valley Ranch with the first of three early-morning practices, mostly for rookies and selected vets.
There are some players returning from injury like Morris Claiborne and Dan Connor who are on the field, but bigger news surrounds a handful of players who won't be cleared for the start of practice on Monday, July 30.
With that, they will be headed to PUP (Physically Unable to Perform), meaning they won't officially count on the 90-man roster.
Those players include cornerback Mike Jenkins, guard Mackenzy Bernadeau, wide receiver Danny Coale, guard Kevin Kowalski and free safety Matt Johnson, who has battled a hamstring injury over the last month.
It doesn't mean they won't be ready for the start of the season. In fact, they can be removed from PUP at any time. But teams must designate them to PUP before the start of camp to make them eligible for the regular season. Players who are still on PUP once the season begins, must be on there at least six weeks. Last year, Bruce Carter missed the first six games of the season on PUP because of a knee injury.
Jenkins is not 100 percent rehabbed from his shoulder surgery he underwent in January. He's not been with the team most of the summer, only the mandated events such as this. There is a chance he could miss the entire preseason.
Bernadeau and Coale have been working with the athletic trainers on Wednesday with the strength cords, a good sign they could be returning soon. Bernadeau had hip surgery in May and Coale suffered a broken bone in his foot during the first OTA practice.
Kowalski has been dealing with an ankle injury and Johnson practiced some on Wednesday, but isn't 100 percent because of the hamstring.
It's unsure if the Cowboys will use those roster spots or wait for them to return.
