Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons drew a moment of sideline buzz during the preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons when a Falcons fan shouted “Come to the Falcons.” Parsons responded by mimicking a phone-to-ear gesture, a moment that punctuated a game otherwise focused on the team’s readiness for the regular season.
The scene unfolded about 4:35 p.m. CT, roughly two and a half hours before kickoff. Parsons was headed to the locker room, eating nachos, when the taunt from the Falcons supporter prompted the sign-to-the-ear gesture, which he carried onto the sideline as the game began.
In the game, Parsons wore a navy hoodie with grey sleeves and a winter hat, choosing to sit on the bench rather than wear a jersey. He reportedly laid down on a medical table behind the bench at the start of the third quarter as Dallas’ offense moved the ball. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said he wasn’t aware of Parsons’ actions, noting he was busy with the game plan.
Parsons’ social media presence has become part of the broader narrative around his contract negotiations. He has scrubbed Cowboys references from his feeds, and after the game he clarified on X that his moment on the medical table was brief, adding, “The way media shapes perception and narratives is wild—and if he hadn’t said anything, everyone would’ve just run with it. I’d never disrespect the guys out there fighting for their lives.”
Questions about his status for the Week 1 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles lingered. Diggs said Parsons would play based on how his back felt but acknowledged Parsons was sore that morning and had the injury checked. Parsons has been dealing with back tightness since minicamp and into training camp, with some treatment taking place in Oxnard, California, as part of the team’s approach to manage the issue without disrupting the broader roster.
Owner/GM Jerry Jones has publicly praised Parsons, suggesting the long-term deal discussed in March could have carried the largest guaranteed money ever for a non-quarterback. Yet, no contract proposals have been exchanged with Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, and the Cowboys appear prepared to start the season with Parsons on the fifth-year option worth about $21.324 million.
Trevon Diggs called Parsons one of the heart-and-soul players on the team and expressed hope that negotiations don’t derail what Parsons brings to Dallas. He stressed the desire for the situation to be resolved in a way that serves both the player and the team.
Parsons has not practiced this summer, operating under a hold-in during the California portion of camp and at Ford Center in Frisco. He has participated in walk-throughs and team meetings and was involved in Friday’s final preseason session.
Dallas will shift to final roster decisions and prepare for the Sept. 4 opener after cuts on Aug. 29. The club has a busy practice slate planned for Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 before traveling to Philadelphia the day before the opener.
What to watch next:
– Parsons’ health status and how it responds to treatment as Week 1 approaches.
– The trajectory of contract talks with the Cowboys and Mulugheta.
– Dallas’ readiness for the Eagles matchup and how Parsons’ presence (when available) could shape the defense.
Overall, the episode underscores the ongoing tension between star players and the business side of football, even as Parsons remains a central figure for Dallas both on and off the field. The Cowboys’ 31-13 preseason win over Atlanta adds momentum heading into the regular season, with expectations that Parsons will contribute as health allows. A positive takeaway for fans is the continued display of Parsons’ impact and leadership, even amid ongoing negotiations.