​The Cowboys returned to practice on Saturday, after taking Friday off, but the training camp attendance was slightly thinner as four players wre held out as the team continues its cautious ramp-up period before full contact work.Safeties P.J. Locke and Jalen Thompson, both offseason free-agent acquisitions, will miss the team’s third practice of training camp. Cornerback Zion Childress will also be held out with an injury of his own.Locke seemed to hyperextend his knee on the first day of on-field work and although the team deemed it minor, he will miss his second-straight practice. Thompson, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, was sidelined with a bothersome hip.Childress has a hamstring issue; the second-year corner has an uphill battle to earn a roster spot so every missed opportunity is concerning. Starting tight end Jake Ferguson will miss the practice due to personal reasons.Out at Cowboys practice today in Oxnard:S PJ Locke (knee)S Jalen Thompson (hip)S Zion Childress (hamstring)TE Jake Ferguson (personal)— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) August 1, 2026Ferguson’s absence gave reserve TE Brevyn Spann-Ford, primed for a larger role, and the rest of the position group extra reps with the starting offense.The Cowboys are still conducting no pads on-field activities with just helmets and jerseys. Dallas will hold their first padded practice on Monday, August 3.At this stage of camp, missed practices are less about concern and more about preservation. Dallas appears focused on ensuring their roster is as close to full strength when it matters the most. For now, the four-player absence serves as a reminder that even a “healthy” camp requires management— and that availability in August is often about the long game, not the daily rep count. You can follow Angel on X @ArmyChiefW3 and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 4 Cowboys miss Saturday’s camp practice include 2x Pro Bowl starter