Over the last two weeks, several Cowboys players have gotten the OK from coach Wade Phillips to miss some of the team's voluntary organized team activities.
It's a sharp contrast to when Bill Parcells was coach and few players missed an OTA.
Several players have missed the OTAs, according to multiple sources.
Defensive end Marcus Spears is expected to miss today's OTA to attend the funeral of New England Patriots defensive lineman Marquise Hill, who was his roommate at LSU.
Starting wide receivers Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn have not participated in this week's OTAs.
Starting running back Julius Jones, Pro Bowl strong safety Roy Williams, veteran cornerback Aaron Glenn, nose guard Jason Ferguson and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware also have missed some time.
Ware missed an OTA because of a family matter.
"On the OTA, the thing we have stressed is communication," Phillips said Thursday. "We'd like for the guys to be here for as many of the workouts as they can, but if they are not able to make it, we want them to let us know in advance. To a man, that policy has been followed."
Under Parcells, the Cowboys had four OTAs and one mandatory minicamp. Parcells preferred to hold off on most of the on-field work until training camp in July. Compared to Parcells' off-season plan, the regimen being used by Phillips is more demanding because there is more on-field work. With Phillips, the Cowboys have two minicamps and 12 OTAs. There are four OTAs and one minicamp remaining in the team portion of the off-season workouts before training camp in late July.
Phillips has said he would like players to attend the entire off-season program, but under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, there is only one mandatory minicamp, which the Cowboys had earlier this month.
Before the first minicamp, Jones had missed the entire off-season program, but he had his agent clear it with Phillips. Jones was working out in Arizona.
"We've have some players miss, but overall our attendance has been outstanding," Phillips said. "When you're talking about more than 90 percent participating, you have to be pleased."
Quarterback Tony Romo hasn't missed any OTAs.
He was a judge at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City on Monday night but made it back to Valley Ranch in time for Tuesday's OTA.
Without Owens and Glenn, No. 3 receiver Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd and Miles Austin are receiving more reps in practice.
"When a veteran player is not here at this time of the year, I view it as an opportunity for a younger guy to get some very valuable reps," Phillips said.
Phillips has stressed to his coaching staff that he doesn't want to wear down players who are in their 30s, such as Owens, Glenn and Ferguson.
At the recent minicamp, Phillips said he thought his team was in good shape physically.
The team continues its OTAs next week and has its final minicamp June 8-10.
