NFL Preseason: Why aren't Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, Mazi Smith playing for Cowboys vs Raiders?

The Dallas Cowboys will take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday night in both teams’ second exhibition game of the 2024 NFL preseason. Fans of the Raiders will have an opportunity to see all of their key players such as newly signed free agent DT Christian Wilkins, edge rusher Maxx Crosby and even WR Davante Adams, who missed last week’s game and would sit out if head coach Antonio Pierce allowed him too.

The same can’t be said for the stars on the Dallas Cowboys’ side of things. Quarterback Dak Prescott and edge rusher Micah Parsons will be on the sideline for the game. So, too, will future Hall of Famer Zack Martin. Head coach Mike McCarthy has taken a totally different approach to star players playing in the preseason. They don’t.

WR CeeDee Lamb and second-year DT Mazi Smith also won’t be around, but for different reasons. Lamb continues to hold out in hopes that a new contract is coming his way soon. Smith, who would have played in an effort to improve on his lackluster rookie season, but an allergic reaction on Friday kept the former Michigan star from traveling with the team yesterday and they’ve ruled him out as well.

The absence of the key players is a gamble and NFL coaches land on either side of the fence on whether playing is important. Pierce, in his first offseason as a head coach, certainly has his reasons as he looks to set the tone for his ballclub. McCarthy, having been a coach in the league for three decades, sees things differently and doesn’t want to risk injury amongst his impact players.

McCarthy’s way might infuriate some fans who want to see the stars, but it does allow backups and down-roster hopefuls to gain much needed experience with in-game reps which can’t be simulated in practice.