Getty Images

Former Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons.

The Dallas Cowboys’ defense has made it clear: they’re done talking about Micah Parsons.

Dallas opened the season with a 24-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, their first game since sending Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster Aug. 28 trade. The Cowboys received two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark in return, but Parsons’ absence remains the hottest topic around the team — much to the frustration of his former teammates.

“I feel like everybody’s really tired of that question. Micah’s gone,” defensive end Sam Williams said after the game. “We should stop bringing up his name. He’s in Green Bay. You should ask about the Cowboys and what we got in this locker room. Micah will always be part of the family, especially the D-line room, but at the end of the day, that’s just business.”

Williams added that if reporters want answers on Parsons, they should look elsewhere.

“You gotta go ask David (Mulugheta) — that’s his agent. Or Jerry Jones, you gotta ask him. But me? I’m worried about me. I can give you Micah’s number if you want, but don’t ask me about it. He is him and I am me,” Williams said.

Micah Parsons’ Absence Notable for Cowboys

The Cowboys traded away a perennial Defensive Player of the Year contender in Parsons, who has racked up 52.5 sacks in four seasons. His absence was notable against the Eagles.

Dallas struggled to generate pressure, logging just one sack from Marshawn Kneeland. The defense also faltered against the run, giving up 158 rushing yards. Owner Jerry Jones said bolstering the interior was a driving force behind the Parsons trade, banking on Clark’s presence to help shore up a run defense that remains a work in progress.

Jones singled out Williams as an impact player against the Eagles, filling the gap left by Parsons with the Packers.

“Anytime you have a great player and don’t have him out there, you feel it,” Jones said after the game. “But I specifically was watching a lot of the guys that were taking up the slack. [Sam Williams] had a really significant impact.”

Drops Doom Cowboys Late

The Cowboys hung with the Eagles and had a drive late with a chance to take the lead. However, drops from the usually sure-handed CeeDee Lamb doomed Dallas down the stretch.

“That’s terrible. I can’t point the finger at anybody else. I take full accountability and everything else that comes with it,” Lamb said after the loss. “As a player, I train for moments like that and the ball to come my way. I need to catch the damn ball.”

Lamb still managed a great game, catching seven passes for 110 yards.

The matchup also marked Brian Schottenheimer’s debut as the Cowboys‘ head coach. While Jones admitted he was disappointed by the loss, he voiced full support for Schottenheimer moving forward.

“I’m proud of him,” Jones said. “He had us ready to play.”

The Cowboys will face the New York Giants on Sept. 14 in another NFC East clash.