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Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer
OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith was back on the practice field Monday after missing the preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders because of an allergic reaction.
Smith was on the team bus getting ready to drive to Los Angeles International Airport when he began to feel poorly.
“Started having a reaction right away, kind of went to the medical staff right away, told them what was going on, told them I know the feeling,” Smith said. “I knew what was going on.”
Smith said he has had such reactions before, with the last coming before the 2023 NFL scouting combine. While he said he is mindful of what he eats, the reaction was due to something in some milk.
“I know the ropes when it comes to having an allergic reaction,” Smith said. “You can’t panic right off, especially when it’s got something to do with your airwaves. [You] want to make sure you’re breathing and stuff, getting the right treatment.”
Smith spent some time in the hospital Friday and missed the game against the Raiders. Smith said he will take part in the final padded practices while in Oxnard, California, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
He went through a series of post-practice sprints with Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa on Monday.
“Business as usual,” Smith said.
Monday also marked the first practice sessions for new defensive line additions Jordan Phillips and Carl Lawson.
Phillips played against the Raiders despite not having a full practice with the Cowboys following the trade from the New York Giants last week. He took part in 10 snaps and was credited with one tackle.
He expects to play as the three-technique in Mike Zimmer’s defense, despite being the largest defensive tackle on the team at 341 pounds.
“I don’t care about stats. People look at stats and think you have a great game but, for me, as long as your linebackers are making All Pro, Pro Bowls, I did my job for the year,” Phillips said. “They didn’t do that by themselves. I kept people off of them and on the way there, I’m getting some sacks and tackles.”
Lawson officially signed his contract Monday and took part in the walkthrough. He worked out for the Cowboys after Sam Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first week of camp, but the team signed Shaka Toney and Al-Quadin Muhammad. Lawson said he had other opportunities but was glad to reunite with run game coordinator Paul Guenther, who coached him with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Lawson played in just six games last year for the New York Jets and did not record a sack, in part because of a back injury. The Jets released him in the offseason.
At 29, Lawson said he has “a lot” left.
“Honestly, I feel like a younger player, man, because my potential I honestly feel hasn’t been reached due to injuries or situations or teams that I’ve been on that just haven’t clicked or quarterbacks playing, whether they’re hurt or just been in down offenses,” Lawson said. “So I’ve been a very effective pass rusher in this league, but on losing teams. The opportunity to possibly get on a team that can be up in games so I can really show my ability and finally just getting back healthy, I’m excited.”