George Pickens is expected to show up for the Dallas Cowboys’ mandatory minicamp next week, but anyone expecting him to run full-go routes from the first whistle needs to pump the brakes. According to a notable team insider, the star wide receiver’s return will come with significant guardrails.
Jon Machota, a journalist covering the Cowboys, reported via the Cowboys Collective that the team does anticipate Pickens’ arrival at the June minicamp. But franchise quarterback Dak Prescott poured cold water on any notion of an immediate full workload.
Speaking to local media, Prescott explained that the organization is prioritizing Pickens’ long-term health over short-term minicamp reps. “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.
A Cautious Strategy After a $27.3 Million Tender
Pickens signed his franchise tag tender worth $27.3 million and then missed voluntary organized team activities. His absence raised eyebrows, but the Cowboys appear ready to ease him back into competitive drills rather than risk a soft-tissue injury that could linger into training camp.
The careful approach underscores how vital Pickens has become to the Dallas offense. Last season, he played a pivotal role during CeeDee Lamb’s absences, helping Prescott post a career-best year. Losing Pickens to an unnecessary minicamp injury would be a self-inflicted wound the front office cannot afford.
Schottenheimer’s Optimism Not Based on Confirmed Info
Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer recently expressed optimism that Pickens would attend the mandatory sessions. However, he later clarified through Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill Jr. that Pickens has not explicitly communicated his plans to show up. The team has not confirmed Pickens’ attendance, leaving the situation still somewhat uncertain.
For now, Dallas is hedging its bets: expect Pickens in the building, but don’t expect him to immediately return to top-end speed. The Cowboys would rather have a healthy star in September than a gassed one running simple drills in June.
Fans online have noted the irony — after missing voluntary OTAs, Pickens may now attend minicamp only to stand on the sideline. But for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, protecting their primary receiver is a price they are willing to pay.
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