WATCH: Micah Parsons' meltdown on sideline goes viral after Cowboys choke the blocked punt away vs. Bengals
The Dallas Cowboys lost a close game to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, but the loss wasn't the only problem. A blunder from cornerback Amani Oruwariye, who was activated from the injured reserve just before the game, gave new life to the Bengals, who scored the game-winning touchdown right after the mistake.
With the Bengals punting in a 4th & 26 with under two minutes to go, the Cowboys' special teams made a great play blocking the punt. But as the ball crossed the line of scrimmage after the block, Oruwariye touched the ball instead of letting it go, making it a live play. With a Cincinnati player recovering the ball, the Bengals received a new set of downs.
Here's the video:
In a game that was tied 20-20 before Oruwariye's mistake, the Cowboys' defense couldn't believe they would have to return to the field. Micah Parsons was caught on the cameras extremely upset with the situation, not believing that they would lose the game for such a play:
Still hurting after the loss, Parsons was seen leaving the field before the end of the game, with no handshakes or conversations with Bengals players and heading straight to the locker room:
The loss left the Cowboys with a 5-8 record with four weeks to go. Although they're not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, they're now three games behind the Washington Commanders (the seventh seed) and are missing their franchise quarterback for the rest of the season. Postseason is extremely unlikely for Jerry Jones' team.
Micah Parsons will extend his deal with the Dallas Cowboys after the 2024 season
The superstar EDGE rusher is still playing on his rookie contract, which was extended for one-year as Dallas activated his fifth-year option. However, after the franchise extended the deals of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb before the 2024 season, they know there's still one star to go.
Parsons will make $24 million if he plays in the fifth-year option, but the franchise knows they will never have him on this salary. He's expected to surpass Nick Bosa's average of $34 million and become the best-paid defensive player in the NFL when he signs a new deal after the season.