Larry Allen, a bruising offensive lineman who protected quarterback Troy Aikman and blocked for Emmitt Smith during a Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys, died Sunday at 52.

His death was announced in a statement by the Cowboys, which said he died while “vacationing in Mexico with his family” but did not share additional details.

Allen, a second-round draft choice who played 12 of his 14 NFL seasons for Dallas, was among the league’s most dominant offensive linemen, combining speed and athleticism while knocking back defenders with his 6-foot-3, 335-pound frame. He was selected to 11 Pro Bowls, was a first-team All-Pro for six straight years and served as a linchpin of the offense when the Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX in 1996, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17.

Along with Allen, that Cowboys team featured three other future Pro Football Hall of Famers on offense, with Aikman handing off to Smith or throwing to wide receiver Michael Irvin.

Allen finished his playing career in San Francisco, playing two seasons with the 49ers before retiring in 2009, when he signed a one-day contract with Dallas so that he could officially go out as a Cowboy. He was elected a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2013.

“The National Football League is filled with gifted athletes, but only a rare few have combined the size, brute strength, speed and agility of Larry Allen,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. “What he could do as an offensive lineman often defied logic and comprehension.”

“He could literally beat the will out of his opponents, with many quitting midgame or not dressing at all rather than face him, but that was only on the field,” Porter added. “Off it, he was a quiet, gentle giant.”

FALCONS: Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins’ recovery from a torn Achilles tendon remains on track as the team approaches next week’s mandatory minicamp.

Coach Raheem Morris said Monday he can’t ask for Cousins to do more in the minicamp because “he’s done almost everything” in the organized team activities. Cousins was again on the field for Monday’s launch of the final week of OTAs.

Rookie Michael Penix Jr. continues to learn under Cousins, 35, who suffered the torn right Achilles tendon in the 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings.

“He’s done just about everything that you can potentially do, and I just see him doing it more and more as we keep going,” said Morris of Cousins. “It’s been nice to see him just get healthy.”

Cousins said “the positive part for me has been getting the reps” through the offseason program. He said he initially was told he wouldn’t have practice reps in the OTAs.

“I was planning on basically getting my first practice rep in late July, and I’ve gotten basically every practice rep,” Cousins said.

Despite feeling he is ahead of his original rehabilitation schedule, he still won’t push his recovery to practice at full speed.

“I want it to be today but you’ve just got to let your body tell you when,” Cousins said. “I’ll be able to feel when the strength is there fully and you’re not feeling anything in your ankle and Achilles.”

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed in March. The Falcons’ selection of Penix as the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL draft was a surprise after the major financial commitment to Cousins.

COMMANDERS: Kicker Brandon McManus was released by Washington on Sunday, in the aftermath of two women suing him for sexually assaulting them on a trans-Atlantic flight.

Two women who were working as flight attendants on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Sept. 28 flight to London allege in a lawsuit filed in civil court that McManus tried to kiss one of them and grinded and rubbed up against both of them while they were trying to perform their work responsibilities. They are seeking in excess of $1 million in damages, according to court documents.

In a statement sent to The Associated Press, attorney Brett R. Gallaway said McManus wanted to thank the Commanders for the chance to be part of the organization and continued to criticize the lawsuit.

“We reiterate that the allegations against Brandon are and remain absolutely false and importantly, are contradicted by indisputable evidence and the accusers’ own prior inconsistent statements and omissions,” Gallaway said. “While we are disappointed with the team’s decision to release Brandon before he had the opportunity to defend against these fabricated claims, we will aggressively defend and clear Brandon’s name and reputation through the legal process. We intend to defeat these claims, fully exonerate him and look forward to seeing him back on the field where he belongs.”

McManus, 32, signed with Washington in March after playing last season, his 10th in the NFL, with Jacksonville. The Commanders and Jaguars earlier in the week each said they were looking into the situation.