What happened: Wide receiver George Pickens reported for the start of Dallas Cowboys mandatory minicamp on Tuesday after skipping voluntary OTAs. Pickens, who is currently designated as the team's franchise player, participated in individual drills but was held out of team periods as part of a planned ramp-up process.
Why it matters: His presence avoids daily fines of nearly $100,000 and provides stability to an offense managing knee soreness for quarterback Dak Prescott. The Cowboys have until July 15 to secure a long-term extension with the same George Pickens who reported to the facility on Monday for his physical.
By the numbers: George Pickens is set to earn $21.8 million under the 2026 franchise tag if no deal is reached by July 15.
What to watch: Observers will monitor Pickens' integration into team drills as the three-day camp progresses. The front office faces a one-month window to finalize a multi-year deal before the mid-July deadline.