Matt Johnson gets in pads, but doesn't do much work as Cowboys continue to take it easy with him

Rookie safety Matt Johnson finally pulled on the pads for the first time as a Cowboy, but he didn’t get much action in the team part of practice.

ohnson said the Cowboys still want to ease him into work as he gets past the hamstring injury he suffered on the last day of the veteran minicamp in June, his only action of the offseason besides the three-day rookie minicamp after the draft.

“They’re making sure,” he said. “I’ve missed enough time as it is. They’re making sure I don’t miss a big chunk of time by pulling it back. It’s smart on their part, but obviously I want to get out there.”

Johnson said the plan is to get him ready for action by the third preseason game, Aug. 25 against St. Louis.

“I’m just ready to go,” he said. “I feel I’m behind, left out. I’m just ready to get going. Ready to put in the work.”

-- Carlos Mendez

Twitter @calexmendez