Mazi Smith reveals milk caused allergic reaction, missed Cowboys practices

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith didn’t suit up in Saturday’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, though he had a valid reason for missing out.

Smith, the second-year pro, was back at practice Monday and said he had an allergic reaction due to some milk that he drank.

“Started having a reaction right away, kind of went to the medical staff right away. Told them what was going on, told them I know the feeling,” Smith said, via Todd Archer of ESPN. “I knew what was going on.”

Smith said he has had the reaction before, most recently before the 2023 Scouting Combine. He spent time in the hospital this past Friday but went through a series of post practice sprints with linebacker Micah Parsons and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa on Monday.

“I’m a big guy, I eat a lot of food. I know the ropes when it comes to having an allergic reaction,” Smith said. “You can’t panic right off, especially when it’s got something to do with your airwaves. [You] want to make sure you’re breathing and stuff, getting the right treatment.”

Smith is back to “business as usual” and plans to take part in the final padded practices in Oxnard, California, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cowboys looking for more out of Mazi Smith in 2024

The Cowboys’ first round selection (26th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Michigan, Smith played in all 17 games his rookie season. He logged three starts, tallying 13 tackles (nine solo), one sack and three quarterback hits.

Now entering his second campaign, Dallas is expecting a lot more from Smith, who was listed as a starter on the first unofficial depth chart.

“He had a long, long rookie year. But it’s not uncommon, especially when guys get injured, and you miss so much. He’s a guy that had a setback. And he’s done the work in the offseason,” head coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this month. “Doing the work and he’s trending where he needs to go. … He’s getting better. I think he’s done some good things, absolutely.

“He needs to own those A-gaps. Then he definitely has the ability to go out there and play some [3-technique]. But that’s what he was drafted for. This system obviously heightens that more than the last system. … He has a new system that definitely suits him very well.”