George Pickens absent from Cowboys OTAs amid contract situation

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has not attended organized team activities (OTAs) this spring due to ongoing contract discussions. The team applied the franchise tag on Pickens, setting his salary at $27.298 million for the year, but they have halted long-term talks. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed that Pickens is managing his own commitments, including a youth football camp this weekend, but expects him to attend the mandatory minicamp later this month. Additionally, the Cowboys face competition for the starting left tackle position between Tyler Guyton and Nathan Thomas following Guyton's injuries last season.

• 10:41 PMCBS NFL — Cowboys OTAs notebook: George Pickens' status for minicamp, plus true competition at left tackle, more