OXNARD, Calif. -- Players miss practice for a variety of reasons. For Cowboys safety Barry Church, a bad tooth was the culprit Monday. Apparently the tooth has been bothering Church for a few weeks and it kept him out of Monday's session.
J.J. Wilcox replaced Church with the first-team defense.
Defensive end Cameron Sheffield also missed the morning walkthrough with a sore groin and will undergo a MRI.
Wide receiver Dez Bryant participated in the walkthrough and most likely will return to practice Monday afternoon.
Bryant missed the last two days of practice with a sore hip and was not pleased about the time out.
"He wanted to play, he wanted to play," coach Jason Garrett said of Bryant. "It's early and he's had a really good camp, so we got to make sure we're smart with those kinds of things, especially with the nick that he has."
Wide receiver Cole Beasley (quad) did some light running during the walkthough but won't practice Monday afternoon. Beasley said his goal is to practice Tuesday so he can be ready for the preseason opener Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
Left guard Ronald Leary (calf) returned to the walkthough session Monday, as well, and should participate in the afternoon.
