FRISCO -- DeMarcus Lawrence has not practiced during organized team activities. He has been working off to the side, recovering from his second offseason back surgery in as many years.
Lawrence said after Wednesday's OTA session that his back is "feeling great," but there's no timetable for when he'll return to being a full participant.
The fourth-year defensive end missed the first four games last season after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. After recording a team-high eight sacks in 2015, Lawrence totaled only one in nine games.
"That was last year," Lawrence said. "That's why we got this year. Just make sure that it don't happen again. You learn from your mistakes. I certainly did from mine. So I'm just going to make sure I'm in the best shape possible to go out and do everything I can this year to get those sacks."
What is his 2017 goal?
"My goal is 10-plus all the time," Lawrence said. "I feel like I can be a Pro Bowl player. I just haven't lived up to those expectations, dealing with the injuries and my personal issues or whatever. My goal is 10-plus."
Lawrence, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2017 season, said he battled more than just back issues last year. He said it took a toll on him mentally and physically, causing him to lose some quickness rushing off the edge.
"I know his teammates and coaches have a great deal of respect for him because he has been banged up and he has played," head coach Jason Garrett said. "He has had an opportunity a couple of different times in his career to say, "OK, I'm going to get a surgery. I'm not going to play. I'll see you next year.' He hasn't done that. He has played through stuff. He has gotten surgeries at the end of the year.
"Anybody who is around him every day knows what he is all about. He's working very hard to come back and get healthy and get himself ready to go. He is a good example and real inspiration to his teammates."