Cowboys Insider Suggests George Pickens Will Show Up — But Dak Prescott Warns Fans to Keep Expectations Low

Dallas Cowboys fans have been holding their breath all offseason wondering when star wide receiver George Pickens would finally show his face. That question appears to have an answer: mandatory minicamp. But before anyone starts planning a parade, quarterback Dak Prescott is offering a reality check.

According to Cowboys insider Clarence Hill, Pickens is expected to attend the team’s mandatory minicamp starting June 16. That is genuinely notable news, considering the receiver has skipped every voluntary workout this spring after signing his franchise tag. The tag locks in a fully guaranteed $27.3 million for 2026, but it clearly didn’t lock in his attendance at OTAs.

Executive vice president Stephen Jones had publicly expressed hope that Pickens would participate in voluntary practices after putting pen to paper on that tag. That hope went unfulfilled. Now, with minicamp on the horizon, the question shifts from whether he’ll show up to what he’ll actually do.

That is where Prescott’s comments become important. Speaking with The Athletic’s Jon Machota, the Cowboys quarterback made it clear that Pickens’ presence on the field does not mean a full workload.

“They don’t want him to do too much and then suddenly suffer a setback or some type of injury. If that happens, he could go into training camp with an issue. So, even if he’s there next week, don’t expect him to be doing a ton,” Prescott said.

The caution stems from a 2025 season that saw Pickens battle through multiple injuries, including a minor hamstring strain and lingering knee and calf issues. None of those ailments were considered major at the time, but the cumulative effect appears to have made the coaching staff and medical team risk-averse.

This is a delicate balancing act for Dallas. Pickens is coming off a career-best 2025 campaign where he posted multiple personal highs, and the franchise tag was a clear statement that the team views him as a cornerstone of the offense. But if he barely participates in minicamp and then enters training camp cold, that could lead to problems down the line.

The Cowboys have historically been cautious with injured players during offseason activities, so this approach fits their pattern. Still, the optics of a star receiver skipping voluntary work and then being limited during mandatory sessions will fuel speculation about his long-term happiness in Dallas.

For now, the most likely scenario is that Pickens checks in, does some light work, and then the team shifts its focus to training camp in late July. That might not satisfy fans who want to see their star fully engaged, but it keeps the bigger picture — a healthy Pickens for the regular season — firmly in view.