Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1529598
M icah Parsons' fourth sea- son in Dallas has hardly gone as planned, but the biggest questions surround- ing the former Penn State All- American involve his long- term future with the Cowboys and the state of the franchise itself. Parsons knows he will be in Dallas for at least one more year, because the team picked up a contract option for 2025 that will play him $21.3 million. But who will he be playing for? That's up in the air, and Par- sons contributed to the atmo- sphere of uncertainty when he offered something less than a ringing endorsement of head coach Mike McCarthy follow- ing a 34-6 loss to Philadelphia on Nov. 10. Since taking over in 2020, McCarthy hasn't gotten the Cowboys beyond the divisional round of the playoffs. Sporting a 3-7 record after a 34-10 loss to Houston on Nov. 18, this year's team will have a steep uphill battle ahead of it just to reach the postseason. When asked about McCarthy's future after the loss to the Eagles, Parsons said, "That's above my pay grade, if Mike's coach again next year. All coaching aside, Mike can leave and go where he wants to. The guys I kind of feel bad for are guys like [veteran offensive lineman] Zack Martin and guys who might be on their last year, on their way out, because that's who I wanted to hold the trophy for. You want to win games and do great things with those type of legends who put in more time and work than Mike McCarthy ever did. Those are the kind of guys that I have so much sympathy and hurt for." The comment attracted attention locally and nationally. Was Parsons undermining his head coach? Or was he simply noting that many Cowboys players are approaching the end of their careers and do not have much time left to chase a Super Bowl title, while McCarthy can do so for as long as someone will hire him? No matter what the intent, it was another sign of trouble in Dallas. Quarterback Dak Prescott is out for the year with a leg injury, and Parsons missed a significant amount of time with a high ankle sprain. He returned for the team's blowout loss to the Eagles and finished with 2 sacks and a tackle for loss. Against the Texans a week later, he had a quiet night, finishing with 1 tackle in the lopsided defeat. For the season, Parsons has 17 tackles, including 3 for loss and 3 sacks. If Dallas is going to turn its fortunes around this year or next, he'll have to be a big part of that effort. ■ Micah Parsons Returns To Action, But Cowboys' Woes Continue G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M PSU IN THE PROS Former Nittany Lions In The NFL As of Nov. 18 Saquon Barkley (Played at Penn State from 2015-17), RB, Philadelphia Eagles: Barkley has been spectacular in his first season with the Ea- gles. His 1,137 rushing yards on 197 carries rank second in the league, and he's scored 8 touch- downs on the ground. He's also caught 23 passes for 210 yards and 2 scores, helping the 8-2 Eagles take over first place in the NFC East. His backward leap over the head of a Jacksonville defender is one of the most memorable highlights in recent NFL history. Ryan Bates (2016-18), OL, Chicago Bears: Re- turning to action after being placed on injured reserve earlier in the season with shoulder and elbow problems, Bates was forced out of Chi- cago's game against Green Bay in Week 11 with a concussion. Jaquan Brisker (2019-21), S, Chicago Bears: Brisker missed five of the Bears' first 10 games with a concussion and was placed on injured reserve Nov. 14. He has 40 tackles and an inter- ception this year. Cam Brown (2016-19), LB, Miami Dolphins: Brown was signed to Miami's practice squad this offseason but has been on the team's injury reserve list since August. The nature of his injury has not been disclosed. Ji'Ayir Brown (2020-22), S, San Francisco 49ers: Starting for the 49ers at free safety, Brown is fourth on the team with 50 tackles through 10 games. Tariq Castro-Fields (2017-21), CB, Philadelphia Eagles: Castro-Fields was waived by Carolina on Oct. 1 and picked up by Philadelphia three weeks later. Dan Chisena (2015-19), WR, Carolina Pan- thers: Chisena was on Arizona's practice squad but the team cut him on Oct. 11. Six days later, he joined the Panthers' practice squad. Sean Clifford (2017-22), QB, Green Bay Pack- ers: Clifford is on the Packers' practice squad and has yet to see game action this season. Jahan Dotson (2018-21), WR, Philadelphia Eagles: Dotson has 9 catches for 106 yards in his first season in Philadelphia. Arnold Ebiketie (2021), LB, Atlanta Falcons: Ebiketie has 24 tackles and 1 sack in 11 games for the Falcons. Olumuyiwa Fashanu (2020-23), OL, New York Jets: The rookie has played 283 offensive snaps in seven games and has received a 54.9 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus. Pat Freiermuth (2018-20), TE, Pittsburgh Steel- ers: Freiermuth is second on the Steelers with 31 catches for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns. Parsons has made the Pro Bowl all three seasons of his career in Dallas. He's set to return to the Cowboys next year, but the team could be under new leadership given its recent struggles. PHOTO COURTESY DALLAS COWBOYS 6 2 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M